S.C. BlueCross Makes Coverage Available for Thousands of South Carolina Graduates Lacking Health...( COLUMBIA S.C. June 1 -- Employers wi...),Health

COLUMBIA, S.C., June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Employers will hire 22 percent fewer college graduates in 2009 than they did last year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). That means thousands of South Carolina college students graduating this spring will need to purchase their own health insurance coverage.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina can help those graduates fill the gap in their health care coverage while they continue to try to land employment or wait to start a job.

BlueCross' Personal Blue(SM) Plans start at $44.66 a month - that's $1.48 a day. They can be purchased for as long or short a duration as needed, and can be configured in a variety of ways, such as offering comprehensive coverage, covering hospital admissions only, or offering high-deductible plans that have lower premiums. BlueCross members also benefit by having worldwide coverage and access to discount programs, such as hearing, vision, gym memberships, chiropractic services and more.

Details can be obtained by going to www.insuremygrad.com or calling 800-991-3501.

"Insurance is probably not a top priority for new graduates since many have been covered by their parent's group plan. However, most group plans will provide coverage only until the dependent graduates," said BlueCross assistant vice president Irving Albrecht.

"Even if they are lucky and have a job lined up, they typically will go several months before they are eligible for benefits with their new employer. We offer a variety of plans that will fit into just about every budget and fill that gap in coverage. When my youngest graduated from college, he took one of our individual plans and I paid his premium until he was covered by his employer. I just didn't want him to go without coverage, even though he is very healthy. You just nev
'/>"/>