Young adults are excited to graduate college. However, this year’s job outlook for college graduates could dampen that excitement.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers in 2009, employers will hire 22 percent less college graduates. This leaves many graduates without steady employment and without health insurance.

If they are covered under their parents’ policies as students, new graduates can opt for COBRA. COBRA can be very costly. Although private health insurance is generally more affordable than public, the private market can be difficult to navigate for new buyers.

eHealthInsurance.com, offers the following advice for uninsured graduates:

Know the rules of your state. Pre-existing medical conditions can be covered by your Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey or Maine insurance. You may not be eligible for insurance if you are from another country. To speak to an eHealthInsurance licensed agent in your state, call 1-800-977-8860

Shop around. Online access to the largest selection of plans is possible. Each broker must sell policies at a fixed price. This means that you won’t be able to find a better deal if you switch brokers.

– Use safe (policy) selection. Private health insurance doesn’t automatically cover maternity benefits for single women. You should make sure you have a plan that covers maternity care if you are pregnant or considering getting pregnant. If you are unable to find a plan with maternity coverage you might consider purchasing a maternity rider, which is an addition to existing health insurance policies that includes maternity benefits.

You can keep your independence. Consider purchasing an individual insurance plan so you can take your health insurance with you wherever you go. If your prospective employer offers you health insurance benefits, decline it and instead negotiate a better salary.

Protect your personal information. Some brokers send leads to other online brokers by aggregating them. To avoid excessive telemarketing calls you should ensure your broker doesn’t share any personal information and that you can search anonymously for quotes.

The pace of life today is rapid. The rise of digital technology has allowed people to communicate with each other via the internet and simultaneously check their children’s soccer scores. Consumers can expect the same conveniences and benefits from all businesses, except their insurance companies, thanks to the internet age. For many people struggling to pay their medical bills, this can seem like a long wait, even though 98 percent of claims for health insurance are processed in 30 days.

It is no longer enough to be insured, as nearly two-thirds of American households have less income than 2002. It is important to find out how fast and easy your insurance company processes and pays claims. This is important for both financial and medical recovery.

According to a recent survey, 66% of workers would struggle to pay for the financial burdens associated with serious injuries and illnesses. Only 49% of workers have over $1,000 to pay out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, rising healthcare costs are forcing employers into cost-saving measures that are putting employees under greater financial pressure.

* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.

* Increasing employees’ share of premium.

* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.

Some people might have to wait as long as a month to receive their insurance payments. Many insurance companies are able to provide customers with fast service thanks to modern technology and better understanding of their needs. This is just one example. AflacIn the insurance industry, it is rare to find policies that allow for claims approval, processing, and payment within one day.

In the past, fast payment policies were a luxury. It is a necessity in today’s world. It is more important than ever that you have money available immediately for serious injuries or illnesses. You should ensure that your insurance company can move at your pace.

Aflac’s One Day Pay Promise can be found at aflac.com/onedaypay.