<p>Okay, last year I was caught off guard with the required health insurance not being part of the COA, and we won up taking the school's plan. It's an excellent plan, but sadly has premiums to match. This year the cost for the school plan is $2200 a year, which is $183 a month, actually more because it's good for a full year, but I have to pay it between august and may. So how do I shop for one? Permanent address is in Texas, but it has to work with Louisiana being in network. Texas can be out of network as far as I'm concerned, we can work with that, but where to start? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I’ve just spent the past month shopping for health insurance for my son who’s turning 26 and aging off of my policy. His employer doesn’t provide health insurance so I’m looking for something affordable.</p>
<p>Start with [Health</a> Insurance - Find Affordable Health Insurance Plans and Buy Medical Coverage Online](<a href=“http://www.ehealthinsurance.com%5DHealth”>http://www.ehealthinsurance.com) and see what they offer. Then try the carriers’ websites, like Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Assurant, Celtic, and United Health. You’ll have to call them to ask whether you need a Louisiana plan or a Texas plan. I’m not sure about that part. If you have USAA insurance, they offer a health plan, too.</p>
<p>Good luck - it’s really tough to compare policies. I hope I never have to go through this again soon :(.</p>
<p>OP, being an informed consumer of health insurance is darn near impossible. But help is on the way – the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to provide information in a uniform, user-friendly format. This element of the new health care law is set to take effect on September 23 of this year (and hopefully won’t be repealed in January).</p>
<p>[Providing</a> Clear and Consistent Information to Consumers About Their Health Insurance Coverage](<a href=“http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/08/labels08172011a.html]Providing”>http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/08/labels08172011a.html)</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s anything to prevent you from buying whatever coverage you can find for August and September, and then cancelling after you have a chance to shop properly.</p>