How much does a person pay for health insurance?

The premium depends upon several factors, including:

1. The identity of the insurance company; different insurers charge different rates.

2. The state in which the insurance is purchased. State insurance regulators generally have to approve the ranges of insurance company charges. The regulators of some states are more or less lenient than others.

3. The general "hardness" or "softness" of the insurance market. This refers to the general availability of health insurance in the state, which is often a function of #2 above.

4. The health condition, age, and other factors personal to the person(s) to be insured.

5. The kind of heath coverage sought. Options include indemnity plans, managed care plans, and others. Even within managed care plans, there are different types (usually distinguished by the level of choice of provider allowed), which has an impact upon premium.