Yes! If you can't get health insurance through your work then an individual health insurance quote is the best way to find the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

You could look for a group plan through a trade association, alumni group or some other professional association at a reasonable rate. If you're a freelancer, there are some group plans designed specifically for you.

However, an individual insurance quote is still the way to go to make sure you're getting the best deal possible. If you don't get an individual health plan quote and just assume some group plan will be cheaper, you might be missing out. It's possible you could get a better rate or better coverage on your own.

There are so many individual health plans you can choose from today that searching them out will definitely give you a wider range of options on how you spend your health care budget.

Whichever Plan You Pick, the Key to Saving Money Is to Get a Quote

Individual health insurance premiums can be very different from company to company. Even for similar plans, the rate can vary by as much as 50%!

First, decide on what kind of coverage you need and want. Once you know what you're shopping for, head over to a large, unbiased site where you can shop for quotes from several different companies. Insurancerates.com is great because it will get you quotes from all the best companies under one roof.

Pick the Right Individual Health Insurance Plan

Don't pick your plan based solely on price. You'll have several plans to choose from. Study all the benefits and features as well as the cost of each.

Consider the Following Questions When Choosing a Plan:

• Do I want my plan to cover most of my medical expenses or just the big ones?
• How much can I afford to pay out of pocket (deductible) until the insurance company reimburses me for covered expenses?
• Once I meet my deductible, what percentage of my medical expenses will be reimbursed and what percentage will I be responsible for (coinsurance)?
• What is the annual maximum for my out-of-pocket expenses?
• What is the maximum lifetime benefit for the plan?
• Do I mind sticking to the insurance company's list of doctors and health service providers in the network?
• Will the plan let me use a doctor outside the company's network and if yes, how much less will I be reimbursed when I do so?
• Do I need to get permission before I see a medical specialist?
• What are the plan rules when it comes to being covered in an emergency situation, both at home or out of town?
• If I have a preexisting medical condition, will the plan cover it?
• If I have a chronic condition such as asthma, cancer, AIDS or alcoholism, how will the plan treat it?
• Are the prescription medicines I use covered by the plan?
• Does the plan reimburse alternative medical therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic treatment?
• Does the plan include maternity expenses, and if so, is there a waiting period to conceive?

Be Accurate on the Application

There's no such thing as a good guess when it comes to filling out an individual health plan application. Insurance companies go through these with a fine-tooth comb and often compare the information you provide to your medical records. Any discrepancies in the information could (at best) delay your application or even get you denied.

If you’re not sure about your medical history, grabbing your medical records from your doctor is the best bet. This way you'll be writing in exactly the things they will go back and find anyway.

Comparison shopping isn't just a good idea when you're buying a car or a new washing machine. Getting quotes from several insurance companies will help you find the individual health insurance plan that is just right for you.