Buying private health insurance is the only coverage option for some consumers and the most frugal for others -- even if they have an employer-sponsored plan to choose from. A healthy, 30-year-old male in Texas, for example, could pay as little as $37 a month with a private policy, according to Insurance.com. That's $250 a year less than the national average employee pays for individual coverage. (On the other hand, someone with a pre-existing condition might pay upwards of $2,500 a year for private insurance -- five times the cost of the company plan.)
Shopping for inexpensive private insurance, however, requires a substantial commitment of both time and effort, says Jonathan Pletzke, author of "Getting a Good Deal on Your Health Insurance Without Getting Ripped Off." Every insurer gets to set its own requirements within the confines of state regulations, he explains. That makes for a complex web of options, many of which hinge on the results of a physical exam. (For buying tips, click here. Still not sold? Click here to assess the pros and cons of going private.)
Also, check state-run programs that offer free or low-cost insurance. Use the five-question survey at the Foundation for Health Coverage Education to determine your eligibility for different policies. Women and children have better odds of obtaining coverage -- even if they aren't low-income, says Lebherz. A pregnant woman in California could make as much as $63,000 a year and still qualify for free health care through state insurer Medi-Cal.
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