Virginia Life Insurance Help

Reader’s Question:

I am still covered under my parents this year. I will be turning 23 next year and I will be dropped out soon from my parents’ health insurance in Virginia. What are my options?

Casey

Chesapeake, VA

 

Hello there, Casey.

It’s good that you are thinking about your health protection at an early age. Besides, if you are planning to attend graduate school after college, you might be required a student health insurance card on your own or from the school’s. Although, if you plan to work after your graduation (I’m assuming you will graduate this year), then you might be covered from your employer’s group health insurance. But whatever your choices are, it is to be your first priority to get your own health insurance coverage as soon as you are dropped out from your parents’ coverage.
Why? Because adolescents up to your age are one of the high risk age group that face serious health challenges. Although I am not saying that you are one of the statistics, but your age bracket include high rates of pregnancy, suicide, substance abuse, mental/emotional illness, poor nutrition, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases. As soon as you can, get all of the coverage you need. Don’t wait until the first ER trip pegs you a whopping $10,000 medical expenses.

Before you decide, you should have a clear picture of where you are heading and ask yourself questions like: Am I heading the military? Am I going out-of-state for college? Am I going to get a job that pays well? If you can answer these questions, then you will be able to decide on your health insurance options in Virginia.