Individual health insurance is typically what you look for when you are not in a position to have group health insurance. 

Obviously a group health plan provided by an employer is preferable.  It is far less expensive, does not allow for the same exclusions or restrictions, and usually does not allow you to be terminated.  On top of this your family is included. 

There are certain anxieties in searching for individual health insurance.  To begin with there is no guarantee that a certain insurance company will qualify you for a policy.  With a group plan you are qualified simply because you are an employee, and remain covered as long as you remain employed there. 

With individual health insurance you are applying for insurance, much like you are applying for a job.  The insurance company will consider many things, including your health (present and past) and the health of many of your family members before deciding whether to insure you. 

And if they accept your application it may be with some exclusion for what is called "pre-existing conditions." Sometimes these are permanent, more often they are for a certain length of time and then these will be covered also.  Additionally you will pay far more than with a group plan. 

This is not overwhelmingly encouraging, but if you are looking for individual health insurance it is usually because you have no choice. 

Something to check into is whether the state you live in has any insurance protection laws.  If so, you may do better getting individual health insurance because the laws not allowing for you to be turned down or preventing certain limits or exclusions on a policy. 

Do your homework in your search for individual health insurance quotes, and get the best rates possible!