Most children under the age of 18 years are eligible to maintain health insurance under their parents' health insurance. If they are enrolled full-time in an accredited school or college, they can maintain coverage until they are 26 years of age.

Additionally, international students may receive international student insurance through their school or an independent insurance company.

Once students graduate, such coverage is no longer available.

What Insurance Do I Need After College?

Whether you are an international student on OPT or an American student recently rolled off your parents' insurance, you will need to purchase temporary health insurance after graduation until you find a new job that offers long-term health insurance.

Recent graduates may be leaving the comfort of their parents' home and starting to live on their own. They may be busy settling down or moving to a new city and starting a new job. Their financial situation may be tight while they are busy with their job search. 

Such recent graduates may only be temporarily insured. Many recent graduates are young and healthy. They may believe that nothing is going to happen to them and that they will be uninsured only for a short duration. They might be looking to save money by not buying any health insurance. However, life is unpredictable. Everyone is vulnerable to accidents or sudden illnesses, regardless of age. Keep these risks in mind and choose to be insured at all times.

For recent graduates buying health insurance for the first time, it is important to understand the advantages and limitations of temporary health coverage.

While shopping, remember that there may be other short term health insurance out of pocket costs, in addition to the premium.

Gap health coverage can start as early as the next day or at any future date you specify.

Temporary health insurance plans are low-cost health insurance plans that provide you with adequate health insurance for unexpected accidents or illnesses. Therefore, there is no reason to go without medical coverage while you are searching for your new career. Don't risk your future livelihood with unexpected medical expenses that could lead to massive debt.