Open Thread: Where Do You Get Health Insurance?
Posted February 20, 2009 in Lifestyle, Open Thread 41 Comments »
One of the biggest challenges of freelancing is finding affordable health insurance that offers the coverage you desire. There are many options out there, and all of them seem to have different benefits and drawbacks. Most are very expensive.
Some freelancers choose to go on an ‘emergency only’ health insurance plan, where you would have high deductibles and relatively minimal coverage based on the idea that you would only use that coverage in case of extraordinary hospital bills. Of course, because of the minimal coverage, this option isn’t right for a lot of people.
Another common method of getting health coverage is to go through a group like NASE or a local chamber of commerce. In this way you can usually get into a plan and receive benefits closer to those that might be provided by an employer. The group rates also apply, so you can probably find something reasonably affordable too. The downside to this option is that you are putting a great deal of faith in the organization or group that you go through, and will need to do your research before selecting an organization.
Yet another choice is to open a Health Savings Account, or HSA, which would provide you with a way to save tax-free dollars towards your future medical expenses. This option has its own quirks, and in some cases doesn’t even come with insurance (though I’d recommend at least getting an emergency plan to go with it).
How do you get your health insurance?
Which one of these methods do you use for your health insurance? Are you satisfied with what is provided? Is it reasonably affordable? Any advice for newer freelancers?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
About the author: Mason Hipp is an entrepreneur, marketing guru, and writer. He blogs about life and business at FreelanceFolder.com and is co-author of the Book The Unlimited Freelancer. Follow him on twitter @MasonHipp
-
This post is a direct follow-up to the open thread we ran last week where we asked for your freelance…
[Read More...] -
If you’re not careful, your freelancing work habits can make you sick.
[Read More...]
We freelancers, many of whom rely on our… -
It’s nearly tax time in the U.S. and that means decision time for many freelancers. It’s time to decide how…
[Read More...]
The Unlimited Freelancer is Now Only $19
Unleash the true potential of your business. Get The Unlimited Freelancer and start transforming your freelance business,
now only $19.
Try searching "Getting Clients" or "Productivity"
FreelanceCommunity
Free Resource: Massive Web UI and Button Set
This is a free photoshop set provided by MediaLoot with hundreds of free buttons, boxes, and other useful web elements.5 Fresh and Useful jQuery Plugins Were Born in November 2009
In November 2009, 5 jQuery plugins were born that are new and useful for web designers. Read this post to learn more.How Well Do You Understand CSS Positioning?
The css position property seems easy to grasp, but it works a little differently than it appears on the surface.
Free Report
Sign up for our product discount list to get a free copy of Why Some Freelancers Thrive and Others Barely Survive. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Popular Articles
- SEO Techniques All Top Websites Should Use
- When a Client Can't Afford You: Why It's Still Better to Bid High
- How To Stop Scrambling For Clients And Get A Steady Stream Of Paying Gigs
- A Simple Way To Stop Clients From Rejecting Your Proposals
- 3 Reasons Your Rates Are Still Low (And How To Start Raising Them)
41 Comments
Bill
February 20th, 2009 at 1:26 pmeHealthinsurance.com – at least it helps you narrow down the choices, offers HSA plans and short term insurance. I do have “emergency” insurance, high deductible, no prescrips, just to keep the premium down. $66 bucks a month + dental insurance through Aetna for a total of $80 bucks a month and peace of mind. Why health insurance is tied to employers, I have no idea. Imagine if your car insurance was like that!
Yolander
February 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pmMy husband is uninsurable after suffering a heart attack and several complications. That means the ONLY option for us is group insurance since it is not individually underwritten. I’m going to use COBRA for 18 months and then switch to NWU group coverage- unless Obama comes up with something better. I didn’t know about NASE and will check that out too. Thanks for this post!
Nicole Relyea
February 20th, 2009 at 1:57 pmI purchase a full health plan on my own. I was lucky to find one for less than $150/month with only a $2500 premium. It does not, however, cover prescriptions or pregnancy.
Susan Johnston
February 20th, 2009 at 2:27 pmI live in Massachusetts, so I’m lucky to be able to get health insurance through Health Connector: http://www.mahealthconnector.org/ It’s still a little bureaucratic and I’ve had certain prescriptions or other items that weren’t covered, but it’s affordable and definitely better than going without.
André
February 20th, 2009 at 2:36 pmI part time at an art school and thus get full benefits. The part-time job doesn’t cut into my freelance time, and keeps me up to date with the art world. Oh, and the consistent pay check is awesome.
Kevin Crawford
February 20th, 2009 at 2:43 pmA doctor suggested Tonik.com to me, which is by Anthem BlueCross. I was given a rough estimate of $78/month for their $5,000 deductible, up to $129/month for their $1,500 deductible. I have yet to apply and receive a real quote, though.
What do you guys think of them?
John Wang
February 20th, 2009 at 3:01 pmOne option I didn’t see listed and people seem to overlook, is going as a dependent on your spouse’s health insurance plan if they are working full-time elsewhere. It will likely make their insurance costs go up, but you can pay out the difference. I think that’s a pretty good option if you have it available to you.
Cole Christensen
February 20th, 2009 at 3:04 pmI’m still in art school for another month, so I’m still on my dad’s health plan. But coming soon I will be limited to no coverage.
Pete
February 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pmFortunately my wife works at a hospital so we are insured through her but my friends that are self employed use: ehealthinsurance
They seem to have had good experience, no matter what I think it is going to be pricey. I recently heard about some freelancers doing an à la carte healthcare plan that lets them go to the doctor for a checkup once a year and then an emergency option if there is something terrible.
Laura Spencer
February 20th, 2009 at 3:30 pmGreat topic Mason and a HUGE obstacle for U.S. Freelancers. I’m surprised no one has linked to this NY Times article yet:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/nyregion/18insure.html?_r=3&bl&ex=1235192400&en=1940fa97be5bac75&ei=5087
Me, I’m insured through my spouse’s insurance. I’m one of the lucky ones, I must admit.
Jeremy
February 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pmI live in Canada. I am quite lucky – it’s free!
Jason Bass
February 20th, 2009 at 5:33 pmeHealthInsurance.com hooked me up with a PPO from Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey for a plan that only costs me $150 per month. Amazing!
Jerret Turner
February 20th, 2009 at 5:43 pmYou can use a site such as e-healthinsurance to get quotes. It’s free and easy.
One thing to remember is that you usually get all the bells and whistles coverage with corporate insurance. When you shop for individual insurance, you’ll freak out to see how little you’ll get for the price you’ll pay.
My wife and I view insurance as catastrophic coverage. We’ve taken steps to live healthier lifestyles so we don’t visit the doctor as much, if at all. And we also fund a small medical account to pay for doctor or dentist visits which eases the “should we go or not?” decisions we make from time to time.
There is one caveat. If you’re planning on having children, maternity coverage can be expensive and won’t cover the entire “process”. A normal delivery with a minimal hospital stay can quickly exceed $12,000. That’s if everything goes perfectly.
My wife and I are fortunate that we had all our children while I still had a “regular” job.
If you’re young, already have children, or don’t plan on having children for a while, don’t let the insurance issue get in the way of living your dreams.
Go back through the last few years and ask yourself how many times you’ve been to the doctor. My guess is that most of us don’t go that often or a lot less than we think. Why spend money on extra benefits when you more than likely won’t use them?
So, get a high deductible ($5,000), low premium plan and sock away $25 per month to cover the occasional doctor visit. Even if you don’t use the money you save, it’s still yours to spend on anything you choose.
Nancy N.
February 20th, 2009 at 5:58 pmThis is a major question for me. My husband and I would both like to become freelancers/self-employed but we can’t because of health insurance. None of those options mentioned above – the NASE, buying our own private plan, etc – are available to us because of a qualification process called medical underwriting. I have lupus and other medical issues and no insurance company will sell me coverage unless they are forced to by an employer through a mandatory enrollment plan. I have literally had insurance company sales reps just hang up on me the moment they heard the word lupus come out of my mouth because they feel they are wasting their time with me. I don’t even warrant enough of their time to say a polite goodbye.
It is very frustrating because what incentive is there in this economy for my husband and I to grow our business (which is a side business for him right now, full time for me) and create our own jobs? We can’t take economic initiative because we are being held back by our inability to insure our family if we both become self-employed. The government talks about how we should be creating jobs but withholds the most critical tool my family needs to be able to do that…access to health insurance.
Lexi
February 20th, 2009 at 8:41 pmI live in Canada, too, so consultations, tests and hospitalization are covered. Dh’s employer covers prescription meds, dental and optical. If dh and I were both self-employed we would probably pay out of pocket for extended health benefits. We have to, because we have kids.
It’s pricey but good motivation to make freelancing a success! If you can’t afford to buy health insurance then you probably shouldn’t quit your day job.
Annette
February 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pmI actually found my insurance though esurance. BlueCross had the best rates and I was even able to insure my children – all three of us for less than $200/month. Yes, I have a high deductible but it worked for me. They offer dental, HSA and so on. It’s at least a great place to begin your research.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens
February 21st, 2009 at 7:37 amCanada as well for me. Free!
Meryl Evans
February 21st, 2009 at 11:25 amI married a man with a job :) Seriously, we made sure he had a solid job before I left my corporate job with health benefits. Three kids and lots of Rx… it’s a must. I know this doesn’t work for everyone. My brother is married — but he has to use private insurance since he is in business for himself (like me) and his wife works part-time.
Scott Kersey
February 21st, 2009 at 11:41 amMy insurance is provided by an association of small business owners here in Arizona. Members of the association pay $125 per year for membership and they gain access to education, resources, legislation advocacy and access to various insurance vehicles. Every freelancer should research local groups and/or trade associations that may be able to assist them in numerous ways, including insurance. I am relatively happy with the plans cost, even if it is a high deductible plan.
Dano
February 21st, 2009 at 2:50 pmGreat topic. Such a huge deal for Americans. I watched Sicko recently and it made me thankful for our system here in Canada. I’d add that an affordable disability insurance policy is also important for freelancers. If you are sick or injured and can’t work, then the health insurance covers the doctors bills while the disability insurance keeps a little money coming in to keep the other day to day (month to month) bills paid.
Cheers.
Arlin K. Pauler
February 21st, 2009 at 3:47 pmThis post is an example of what I like about this blog, its practicality.
The unexpected cost of health care looming in the background of our psyche undermines our security. This sort of thing can take a real toll on the vital creativity of our work as well as the very joy that called us to freelancing in the first place.
Without realizing it, we often neglect our needs. This post helps us wake up to that fact by providing a potential solution; out of which we can give our Self more of what we need to soar to the high-point of our success in freelancing.
It’s very cool and practical stuff. Thank you!!!
The Elder-Dude
Aaron
February 21st, 2009 at 5:23 pmAs a freelance graphic designer who is attempting to find affordable health insurance for himself and his young family, I find it frustrating that no one yet has been able to offer up specific answers. I’m very happy that health care is free in Canada, or Art School, but Sincerely hope someone who was once in my shoes posts a useful answer soon.
Dorothy - Chandler Graphic Designer
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 amI think I need to move to Canada :)
For the seven years I have been a freelancer this has always been a challenge. My husband has a full time job but they don’t provide benefits. So we have to find our own.
I have a combination of two of the examples. I belong to a Chamber of Commerce and get a 5% discount on my premium and I also have a HSA. I do have a very high deductible but thankfully my family is very healthy we rarely need to go the doctor. If you have young kids this kind of plan would not work. Usually you have too many visits and the out of pocket costs would get too high. Even if you are saving in your HSA it could still be too much. Of course you have to put money into the HSA which isn’t always feasible. If you are already saving into a traditional retirement account and savings accounts it’s tough to put money into and HSA as well. The benefit of the HSA is if you don’t use it for medical expenses it just become a retirement account that you can draw on after turning 65 or maybe it’s 70, I don’t remember the details.
Right now this works for us, but I’m always looking for better options.
Joy Matkowski
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 amIndividual health insurance varies in availability and cost by state. Lucky for me, I live in Pennsylvania, where I can buy a decent health insurance policy for $300/month; friends and fellow freelancers have been lured here from New York and New Jersey for the health insurance. A friend in Missouri couldn’t buy family health insurance at any price after her husband had a mild heart attack.
Which is silly. People shouldn’t be forced into plodding along in a “steady job” to avoid that looming menace of medical bankruptcy over a bike accident—you can run up an unpayable hospital bill very fast—or even worse, discover that the medical establishment won’t try to treat that problem you discovered because you don’t have health insurance.
I think a lot of people would prefer to be freelancers or entrepreneurs if that health insurance problem were solved. Creativity, new ideas, different ways of doing business, and the Googles of tomorrow would grow like kudzu.
I’ve been hoping for single-payer universal health insurance, something that would put us on a par with those cheery Canadians above, for almost as long as I’ve been freelancing, but I suspect I’ll hit Medicare first.
Kennedy
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:41 amI was in the Air Force for a little bit. I do not have to pay for anything, including prescriptions, for the rest of my life. As entrepreneur this is one less thing holding me back. I feel very lucky.
Mason Hipp
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:12 amHey Everyone!
Sorry about the delayed comments! Evidently the term ‘health insurance’ will automatically flag a comment as spam, and I woke up this morning to at least 15 legit comments in the Freelancefolder spam box :-)
Anyhow, lots of great responses so far!
I personally went through eHealthInsurance.com — I rarely get sick, so for me health insurance is about emergencies. I found a good plan through Aetna with a high deductible (around $5k) and very little regular coverage, but it has huge limits in case of emergencies. It costs me very little monthly, maybe $70, and we basically just eat the full cost of my doctor visits (which is much cheaper for me than getting full-coverage).
Jacob
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:27 pmAnother Canadian enjoying free health care right here :)
Andy
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 pmI went through NASE myself and was referred to MegaHealth, comparing it to the others available, it was by far the cheapest, however some of the riders are misconceiving and I’ve had to ammend my policy once to make sure I had “preventative” coverage such as yearly exams included. For the amount of time I spend in a western medicine office though, and for its coverage on acupuncture, Mega Health is doing me right.
If you’re in Colorado and CAN’T get coverage for some pre-existing condition or financial incapabilities, try Cover Colorado, my husband is ensured through them because of his existing condition and it’s also very inexpensive for great coverage.
Mary Ann
February 24th, 2009 at 1:39 amI purchase my own…$149/mo (no pregnancy coverage) with $4800 deductible – which I’ll never meet. Because of my (low) income, my newborn son is enrolled in Healthy Families (in California) and pays $17/mo. He has a condition that was found out when he was two weeks old that put him in the hospital for 5 days at a cost of $30,000. Luckily, California has a program – California Children Services – that became his secondary insurance (his primary was under me) and we didn’t have to pay anything except for the $2,400 deductible he had. Medical costs are crippling Americans more than anything else. Sicko was right. Husband doesn’t have insurance.
I know many people who don’t leave their unhappy day jobs because of the insurance. Pretty sad…people aren’t following their dreams because of the threat of a medical situation. Sad indeed.
Stay healthy – exercise, eat well….all the things we know to do – do them.
Good luck!
Imokon
March 20th, 2009 at 4:19 amThis is one of the topics that has held me back from going into freelancing full time. Yet it’s still like a Catch-22. I work moderately full time at night at a huge copy-shop corporation (guess who..) and my health insurance (PPO) through BCBS seems great for me with only a $300 deductible and $300/mo (including FSA) for both my husband and I including dental and vision.
The downfall is the actual pay is real crappy and me wanting to start a business and my husband just getting back into freelancing after some time off is just excruciating – We can hardly afford visits to the doctor. We both have some serious health issues so the fear of coverage is there. At the same time I look at some co-workers who have been there for literally decades with a pay cap and no dynamic and it’s pretty bleak..
Another co-worker who is there part-time says her day job (a more immediately necessary industry) offers better BCBS “packages” and that we are getting a screwed up deal at my job. So it makes me wonder how much worse it can get if we go freelancing.
An example would be how I went to an acupuncturist that BBCBS (by phone) reccomended and ended up not covering the visit even though the doctors name is still in there database.
It’s need vs. want vs. not really getting anywhere. I hurt just reading this article :(
Trygve
April 1st, 2009 at 3:31 amI became self-employed though no choice of my own (company closed) in 2001. I applied with every insurer licensed in my state and was declined by all (as well as the NASE). I left the USA and have not looked back… except that I’d like to be able to live in my own country again one day.
I now have full coverage for my wife and I at $200/mo which is valid everywhere in the world except the USA.
Imokon
May 19th, 2009 at 2:13 pmWell. I decided to go ahead and leave my job. Couldn’t take all the money going down the drain + them not letting me keep a second job which had nothing to do with the industry :(
Obama has something for a discounted COBRA plan apparently, which to me means from $700+/mo to $300/mo for both my husband and I which I think we can brave.. but first to see if I qualify *crosses fingers*
Last time we used the County’s medical benefit program they took two large tumors out of my husband’s shoulder while he was awake, and then suggested he didn’t need more MRIs. We never want to go through with that ever again.
Imokon
May 19th, 2009 at 3:27 pmHas anyone tried Assurant through AIGA?
Piensestatona
June 11th, 2009 at 2:05 pmGood morning.
My employee last month tried to open a forum simirarily
familiehandel
and the webmaster trouble getting it running.
Is this site founded on FerretBB ?
Zexdiannanife
August 13th, 2009 at 1:47 pmWhat’s up, is there anybody else here?
If there’s anyone else here, let me know.
Oh, and yes I’m a real person LOL.
Bye,
Laura Spencer
August 13th, 2009 at 2:53 pmHi Zexdiannanife!
Did you have a question or a comment?
Hydrolyze
October 15th, 2009 at 2:09 pmJust wanted to say hello all. This is my first post.
I would like to learn a lot here.
Kathy Greene
November 13th, 2009 at 11:34 amImagine living in States like New Jersey where I live. We are one of the states that can’t use NASE. Small businesses can’t join any type of “group” to get the group rate. And when I go on e-insurance type websites to look for rates they make you type in your zip code. Once that happens I don’t get any rates lower than $780/month for my family. Right now we don’t have any insurance because we were paying $1350/month for a PPO that had large deductibles and we just can’t afford it anymore. Right now I just want to try and get my kids insured. Any ideas for New Jersey residents??
SpeedyMcQuickTruck
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 pmYo!
Holidays.. stressful enough not including things going wrong at every turn, right? So check this out- on the 23rd I had my truck all filled up to head to my uncle’s place for dinner and celebrations. My car was out on the side of the street in front of my house. I ran back in the house to grab the potatoes I was bringing to the party. I joke you not, in the time it took me to grab them and lock my front door a branch snapped off the tree in the front yard and ruined my windshield. Talk about serious timing, eh?
Luckily I remembered this article on windshield repair I read online a few weeks ago that pointed me towards a mobile windshield repair place. They hooked me up! They drove out the same day to my uncle’s apartment and repaired my windshield while we ate dinner, it was great. I was so stoked that I just wanted to give them a shout out.
Peace!
Trackbacks