One day your are comfortably basking in the glory of your fully paid employee sponsored health insurance. Then suddenly you are downsized, laid-off or otherwise forced to join the 47 million other Americans without such privilege. What now? Don’t panic, there are options for affordable health insurance - you just have to know where to find them.

One of the keys to finding the most affordable health insurance coverage is to always avoid a lapse in coverage. With the exception of about half a dozen states, if you or a family member have a pre-existing condition, and have a lapse in health insurance, you may find it extremely difficult or impossible to obtain private health insurance. Many health insurance professionals suggest that you avoid COBRA health insurance benefits due to the expense. However if you are about to lose your employee sponsored health insurance, and you are being treated for a condition, it is wise to sign up for COBRA benefits. Not having a gap in coverage will permit you to shop the more affordable market later on.

Now once you begin shopping for a more affordable health insurance policy, keep in mind your real healthcare needs and your real healthcare costs. Carefully look over the records of your medical expenses while you were covered under your job’s health insurance policy. If you are relatively healthy and have paid very little for medical expenses, you probably do not need the most expensive, lowest deductible comprehensive medical plan money can buy. You likely can get by with the many affordable high deductible consumer driven health insurance plans currently offered by many of the top insurance companies in the nation.

OK you have lost your employee based group health insurance plan due to job loss. What are your job prospects? Are they pretty good? Do you think you will be working again in say six months at a job that may offer benefits? Then a short-term medical insurance policy is the best option for you. Short–term medical insurance policies, also known as “Gap Insurance” are very affordable health insurance benefits and offer complete coverage options – for a limited time.

If you are healthy you really do have a wealth of options when it comes to affordable medical insurance products and the Internet is a great place to shop for them. The experts at insuracnebudget.com can help match you with a policy that is right for you and your family.