When women set out to buy a health insurance plan, they should realize that health care for women is different than health care for men. Some diseases and conditions affect only women, so many tests and treatments exist that are only intended for women. In some cases, state health insurance law requires insurance to cover specific women's health issues. Before purchasing health insurance, women should review their states' laws to determine whether the insurance companies they are considering are operating legally. Women should also research the plans they are thinking about buying to see how well they cover women's health issues.

Some state health insurance law mandates that insurance companies pay for some women's health issues. Many of these issues have to do with reproductive health. For example, some states require insurance companies to cover pregnancy complications, in vitro fertilization, infertility procedures, prenatal care and birth/delivery hospitalization. In many states, screenings for cervical cancer and breast health services are health procedures that insurance companies must cover.

In addition to finding a plan that offers great health care for women, many women want plans that also cover their children. Some state health insurance laws also require companies to cover children's services. For example, Hawaii insurance companies must cover well child visits. Understanding state health insurance law is a good place to start when looking for both women's and children's policies. Not only will knowing the state law allow consumers to verify that the plans they want to purchase are legal, but knowing these laws can also help women understand what procedures are important.

Women who do not live in a state that covers conditions like the ones above should try to find a policy that does. If these issues are important enough that some states require insurance companies to cover them, women should not accept health care plans that do not. Women should always choose health insurance plans that cover routine screenings for cervical and breast cancer. They should also find plans that offer above-average care for prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum services. Women should understand that the cost of such services without insurance can be astronomical. A single emergency room visit for a false alarm during pregnancy can cost thousands of dollars. A single ultrasound can cost hundreds. Many women whose insurance companies do not cover these routine parts of pregnancy and childbirth avoid going to the hospital or having needed tests done. This can put the mother and her child's life in danger.

Women should carefully research insurance plans before purchasing. Quality plans that offer great women's health care can help women live longer and better lives.