The nagging pain of a chipped tooth in the back of his mouth constantly reminds Jarrett Mason about what adulthood has not brought him: medical and dental benefits.

MORE...

The 21-year-old Pleasant Hill resident is not alone. This month and next, thousands of area students will graduate from high school and college, leaving many no longer eligible for medical coverage under their parents' plans.

A Commonwealth Fund study found that 13 million young adults in the United States were without medical insurance in 2004. Almost 50 percent of high school graduates and two of five college graduates are uninsured for a portion of the year after graduation, according to the study.

Usually, once children are 18 and not in college full-time, they lose coverage under their family's employer-sponsored group plan. Rarely, do they seek coverage on their own. The wake-up call does not come until the first major accident or illness, and the prohibitive costs that accompany those.

But it is an unnecessary gamble. Options exist to bridge the medical insurance gap between graduation and the first job. Some are affordable, others cost more. The trick is knowing what you need and where to find them.

Mason graduated from Kennedy High School in Richmond three years ago and went to work for Albertson's. He said steep union fees prompted him to quit the $8.39-an-hour job that came with a benefits package.

Now, he lives in Pleasant Hill with his mother. This summer, he hopes to take an art class at Diablo Valley College. He has a job application pending at Mervyn's.

Urgent dental care, such as his chipped tooth, would be covered by most medical insurance plans. But Mason lives with the pain because he has more pressing concerns.

"Not having benefits, yeah, it's tough," he said. "I used to skateboard all the time. Now, I worry about breaking my leg and having to go to the hospital. You got to be careful when you don't have health benefits, but I've got bigger worries. I need a job to pay my bills. That's how I got to spend my time -- finding a job."

A recent survey by American Independence Corp. found that 88 percent of college students are concerned about losing insurance between graduation and their first job. Almost all of them are unsure about the options available to them.

Most of those options depend on a graduate's health and living circumstances. Here are a few examples:

• COBRA: This option is best for graduates with a pre-existing health condition, especially one requiring regular treatment. It extends the coverage provided by their parents' medical plan for a period of time, usually six months. However, individuals may have to pay the entire premium, meaning this option could cost $300 to $500 a month.

• Blue Cross of California: This works for graduates who do not plan to travel and will continue to live in state. One plan, Tonik , is designed for adults ages 19 to 29. Coverage is for individuals only, does not include maternity and is available only online. Deductibles range from $1,500 to $5,000 with rates that vary from $64 to $123 a month.

• Temporary/short-term: This covers most graduates, whether remaining in state or traveling, but only for a short period of time, usually no more than 18 months. It is the best option for graduates with imminent employment or for those facing a waiting period before their employer's plan takes effect.

Several companies offer short-term plans, including Healthegrad.com and Assurant Health. Rates range from $46 to $138, depending on the deductible and coverage.

Short-term providers do not cover pre-existing conditions. However, if medical coverage is not interrupted, then a pre-existing condition is immediately covered when an employee-sponsored plan goes into effect. Short-term plans can prevent interruption of coverage, if activated before losing benefits under a parent's plan.

• Long-term: This is available to almost anyone in good health. It is best for individuals who expect to be unemployed, self-employed or without medical benefits for 18 months or longer. Also, long-term care can cover families and expenses such as maternity.

Rates depend on the plan selected. Plans costing $65 to $100 a month usually mean high deductibles and co-pays. To lower those, individuals will pay a much higher monthly premium, ranging from $150 to $200.

Picking an option usually comes down to what is affordable.

Jan Parr of San Pablo graduated Friday from Contra Costa College with a degree in mass communications. While in school, she worked part-time as a switchboard operator.

She discovered the harsh reality of being uninsured last fall when she had bronchitis.

"I didn't realize I had it," said Parr, who would not reveal her age except to say she is in her 40s. "I was running into a grocery store, trying to get there before it closed, when I started wheezing. I'd never done that before. I had to go to a doctor, even though I knew I had to pay out of pocket."

The doctor visit and antibiotics cost Parr $500.

Despite that incident, she remains without medical insurance.



Source: Contra Costa Times