You can leverage health care coverage in many different ways:

Through your place of work.

This is the least expensive way to gain insurance. If you work for a large company, it may pay some or all of your monthly premium. big businesses have the bargaining power to provide lower premiums and more abundant benefits. You probably will not be required to pass a health exam, and your preexisting medical conditions may be covered. You're also more likely to have a choice of services if you work for a large employer.

modest businesses, on the other hand, are at a disfavor in negotiating insurance reporting. They may have trouble even obtaining coverage founded on the health history of one or more employees, and their premiums are likely to be more expensive. Some states have supported laws that expect insurers to offer coverage to small groups within a price parameter.

If you and your partner are both covered by insurance at your employment, the insurance agencies may coordinate your benefits. That means that whatever is not covered by one plan (your primary carrier) could be paid by the other--provided you and your spouse are each taken care of under the other's policy. You may never receive more than 100% of the cost of the program provided. Not all insurers have the same rules, so check with your employee benefits counselor to see how benefits will be interconnected.

If you lose or leave your business, you have the option of extending your existing insurance monthly service for up to 18 months under The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA). The same law allows an job holders family to continue coverage for up to three years following death or divorce. COBRA permits you to continue your health care coverage at your former employer's group rate, plus a small (maximum of 2%) administrative fee. If you fail to pay the monthly premiums, your coverage will be discontinued and you will not be able to reestablish it.

COBRA coverage ends when you start a new job with health benefits. The option to cover coverage under COBRA is critical if you cannot afford the high premiums of an individual policy or if you have a preexisting medical condition.

As an individual.

If you are self-employed or not working, and are not covered by another family member's insurance, you should purchase an individual health insurance policy. The premiums for individuals can be expensive, even for the most basic services. The best advice is to comparison shop and buy the best coverage you can afford. Group insurance coverage may be available to members of certain trade or professional associations. A few states have 'risk pools,' which provide insurance coverage to any person regardless of prior medical ailments. Check with your state insurance section if you are unable to obtain coverage on your own. Note that some preexisting conditions may not be covered under your individual health insurance service. Be sure to determine with your insurance provider what is and is not included.

Medicare and Medigap insurance policy.

Once you are 65, you can obtain Medicare insurance from the federal government's health insurance program. You also may qualify if you have certain ailments. Medicare does not pay all of your costs, and there are deductibles. Excluded are most nursing-home care or long-term care in the household. Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs. Many people over 65 buy a Medigap policy from a private insurer to supplement Medicare insurance coverage.

There are 12 standard Medigap services, labeled A through L, which make it easy to comparison buy. Depending on which packet you choose, Medigap coverage may pay for such things as Medicare deductibles, coinsurance amounts or prescription medication. Medigap insurers must accept you, regardless of preexisting conditions, if you apply within six months of becoming eligible for Medicare. If you wait longer, you may be refused coverage.