When deciding to go with a health insurance carrier:

• Determine if you qualify for individual (non group) health insurance.
• Shop around, premiums for similar policies can vary greatly from different insurers.
• Rules goverening health insurance carriers vary from state to state, so find out if you msut be offered a policy.
• Also consider individual disability insurance.
• Find out about insurance co-payments, deductibles, and maximum out of packet expenses.
• See if a doctor or specialist you use is in the insurance provider's network.
• If you don't qualify for individual medical coverage, you might consider participating in a group health insurance plan, professional or alumni associationa, chamber of commerce or your state high risk fund.