Monthly private health insurance premiums for healthy young people "vary by hundreds of dollars" in U.S. cities, according to a study released last week by eHealthInsurance.com, the Wall Street Journal reports. EHealthInsurance.com -- a private insurance agent -- examined premium quotes for 30-year-old nonsmoking men and women without pre-existing medical conditions in the 50 most populous U.S. cities. All types of health insurance policies were examined, including HMOs and PPOs. Policies had a maximum $1,000 deductible and 20% coinsurance. Long Beach, Calif., residents paid the lowest premiums, with the least-expensive monthly premium at $54. New York City was the most expensive city, with premiums of $334 for similar coverage. Long Beach, Calif., was the least-expensive city for women, with $54 monthly premiums, while policies offered to men in Columbus, Ohio, were as low as $52. Cost disparities for men and women were found in states where there is no requirement for equal rates for both sexes. In New Orleans, women paid 35% more than men. Bob Hurley, vice president of eHealthInsurance.com, said overall price disparities were a result of factors including state insurance mandates and local competition (Lobb, Wall Street Journal, 7/5).