As school graduation ceremonies are in full swing this summer, we want to congratulate the class of 2021 who have dedicated countless hours and resources to learn valuable subjects and skillsets which will hopefully translate into the real world with rewarding careers. This academic year has been like no other, but the students and faculty have shown resilience and adaptability to the social and economic dynamics we all have had to face. We are happy to see many students being able to celebrate graduation ceremonies in person this year.

While many graduates are focused on celebrating and beginning the process of applying for jobs and internships, one commonly overlooked and often ignored subject in school is having health insurance in place after you graduate.

While we as an insurance agency do not have all the answers, we at Solid health Insurance Services are here to assist our clients to find a health plan which is affordable and meets their medical needs. If you are losing or about to lose your school’s health insurance, now is the time to speak with an independent insurance agent about your health insurance options. Insurance agents do not charge fees for their services and the rates are regulated by state and federal authorities so there is no rate manipulation nor upcharge by getting insurance through an agent.

If you have a job but they do not offer health insurance, you should consider if you qualify for health insurance premium assistance from Covered California. Depending on your income, you may not qualify for premium assistance from Covered California and instead should apply for a plan that is unsubsidized (no premium assistance) directly from an insurance carrier aka off-exchange. On the other hand, if you are still not yet 26 years old, you may be able to stay on your parent’s health insurance. Once you are 26 years or older, you are not eligible to stay on your parent’s health insurance as required by the Affordable Care Act. You should also be considering your dental and vision insurance options. You can get affordable dental plans for as low as $10 a month and vision plans for as low as $6.50 per month.

When it comes to choosing the right health insurance plan, you must first think about your medical needs and budget. Please list your preferred doctors and hospital. Each insurance carrier has its own provider network, some plans may have your preferred doctors and hospital systems and others may not. Some plans have high deductibles you must first meet before covering medical and/or prescriptions while other plans have no deductibles at all. There is a lot of terminology in the insurance industry with common words such as copays, deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, etc. that can be confusing to understand. In fact, an insurance policy is a legal contract between the insurer and the insured and should be interpreted as such.

While insurance can be confusing at first, having a dedicated insurance agent to walk you through your insurance options and help you find the right plan that fits both your medical needs and budget is strongly advisable. At Solid Health Insurance Services, we are always happy to help you find the right health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance which fits your personal needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 310-909-6135 or email us at info@solidhealthinsurance.com for us to better assist you.