If you find yourself in a position without health insurance, there are many options available. First of all, if you've recently left a job where you had health insurance, you will be offered Cobra, which will allow you to pay the full amount of the policy out-of-pocket. Cobra premiums are often quite expensive, though, and many individuals are forced to decline it because of this. If paying for the Cobra policy won't cause a financial hardship, perhaps electing to sign up for it is a good idea, especially if it's only for a few months while you wait for medical insurance for a new job to kick in.

If you aren't eligible for Cobra or simply can't afford it, another option is to purchase your own health insurance policy. There are numerous insurance providers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, etc. that offer low cost policies for individuals and families, depending on the type of coverage you're seeking. One problem that you may experience, though, is if you have serious or chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or suffer from obesity, you will most likely be denied coverage and will have to seek insurance elsewhere. Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the few insurance companies that usually don't deny people based on health conditions, but they're usually more expensive.

If you are low income and your job either doesn't offer health insurance, or if participating in the plan offered by your employer would cause you financial hardship, you may want to try applying for health insurance through your local social services office. More and more states are creating special insurance programs for individuals in your situation. These special insurance plans are different from Medicaid, and if you qualify, can bring you peace of mind knowing that you have medical insurance coverage. Of course if your income is low enough, you may even qualify for Medicaid, but guidelines for Medicaid qualification have become stricter than they were years ago.

As an absolute last alternative, many communities have special clinics that provide free health services to those with no insurance. These clinics usually determine your eligibility by your income, and will even provide you with free medication to manage acute or chronic illnesses. If you would like to find out information about free clinics in your community, a good place to start is your local health department. Many health departments can provide you with this information, and if not, they should be able to direct you to a person who can.

There is absolutely no reason for you to have to go without health insurance. With the many options available to you, you should be able to find the most economical way to obtain health insurance for yourself and your family. Those without health insurance tend to neglect their health and ignore potentially dangerous symptoms because they are trying to avoid paying high medical bills. Not only is this dangerous, but it is unnecessary. Many local health departments offer low cost health screenings that allow you to obtain a comprehensive physical, including blood work and other tests, at a reduced cost. Some health departments charge fees on a sliding scale, while others charge a flat rate. So, don't get caught without health insurance, because you never know when your appendix might burst or you may experience some other medical emergency that could totally wipe out your bank account and cause serious financial difficulties for you.