As nearly 1,300 college graduates walked across the stage Saturday at the University of Nevada, Reno commencement ceremony, the last thing on their minds was health insurance.

Nearly half of those 1,300 will join the largest least likely demographic to have health insurance: college graduates between the ages of 19 and 29.

"It freaks me out," said Sarita Lopez, a 22-year-old journalism major at UNR who graduated Saturday. "I think most students are so focused on graduating, it's just one thing you never think about. It really sneaks up on people."

And Lopez is not alone.

About 40 percent of college graduates are uninsured, according to a 2006 Commonwealth Fund survey. Considering this same group (19 to 29 years old) are 30 to 50 percent more likely to be hospitalized for an unavoidable medical condition, according to the National Coalition on Health Care, it's a chance that many cannot afford to take.

Michelle Decker, regional sales manager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, attributes the growing lack of policies among college graduates to just not being aware.

"Most students don't know who (insurance companies) to trust," Decker said. "Often, the decision is put off."

It is a decision that many put off until they secure a job — a risky move, Decker said, since many employers have a waiting period until health insurance coverage is effective, sometimes up to a full year.

Until then, Decker advises recent graduates to at least know their options, citing that over the last year 82,000 19- to 29-year-olds were uninsured in Nevada.

"Even if it's a basic plan, get something," Decker said. "You always want a plan for the unexpected."

Major health insurance companies like Hometown Health provide group insurance plans for employers, which insures employee's children.

To maintain coverage during college, their children must be full-time college students enrolled in 12 credits or more at an accredited university, Hometown Health representatives said. However, coverage often ends once the student reaches a certain age, usually 23 to 25, depending on the policy plan set up by the employer.

Many students depend on their university health insurance plan. While helpful when enrolled at UNR, this coverage ends once the student is no longer taking nine credits as an undergraduate or six credits as a graduate, health center officials said.

"Here at the university we can only help students," said Julee Dangel, office manager at the UNR student health center. "This is a very large uninsured group. We can help give options to them for after they graduate though."

These options involve individual month-to-month coverage plans until the graduate can find employment.

Such options include Blue Cross’ Tonik Plan, introduced last year targeting the growing uninsured college-age group with customizable policy options. These packages cover health insurance as well as some vision and dental coverage. Prices range between $113 to $153 a month, a price that will surpise many, Decker said.

"A lot of people don't realize the cost and just don't know a whole lot about it," Decker said. "It's vague for most people. But you definitely want to cover your life because you just never know what may happen."