Part I: Compare Your Healthcare Options

Option A -- Opt for Employer-Based Coverage

For many Americans, taking advantage of employer-based coverage is the most cost-effective way to get insurance.Let's assume that, after graduation, you take a job working at Tulane, earning $50,000 annually. Take a look at Tulane's human resources site to find information about plans and rates.

Option B -- Remain on Your Parent's Insurance

The Affordable Care Act allows you to remain on your parent's insurance policy until your 26th birthday.If you think that could be an option for you, find out from your parent how much they currently pay per month for you to be covered, plus the other details for the chart above, and fill them in.For this example, we're going to assume that once you've graduated, they'll make you chip in for your portion of the costs.Now, answer these questions:

1. What might be potential benefits of remaining on your parent's health insurance as long as you're able to?

1. What potential downsides can you see to remaining covered by your parent?

1. Is remaining on your parent's insurance something you would potentially be interested in?Why or why not?

Option C -- Buy from the Health Insurance Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace pulls information for the marketplace plans available in your specific city or county and state.Answer the questions asked on the federal site and then your state site (if directed there next) to find a variety of plans on the Marketplace.After reviewing the plans, choose the one that looks best for you, and record its costs in the table above.Then, answer the following questions:

1. Based on your projected income, would you qualify for premium tax credits to offset the cost of your Marketplace insurance?

1. What features or costs of the various plans did you prioritize in making a decision on a plan?

1. What was the most difficult aspect to choosing a plan?

NOTE:There are other ways to get insurance, such as paying an insurance agent to find the right plan for you or using an online selection tool (outside those of HealthCare.gov) to find a suitable plan.We will ignore those options for now.

Part II: Choose a Health Insurance Option

1. In the chart for this activity, what assumption did we make about your deductible that may not always be true in real life? How would that impact your budget and your decision making?

1. How do you personally weigh the costs of premiums, maximum out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles, and copays?What do you value in terms of your health insurance spending?Why?

1. Based on the options you've got listed in your chart, which health insurance plan would you choose for your post-graduation self?What could be a potential downside to the plan you've chosen? Justify your answer with cost data for the plan as well as other considerations relevant to the decision.Write at least 5 sentences.