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Insurance for the Self Employed?

by Justin Jordan
6 replies
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So, I just got laid off from my day job.

Now from strictly a pay point of view, this is not a big deal. If you're looking at it from a strictly money paid perspective, I was losing money going to work.

But my job did offer kick butt insurance, and I'm a type 2 diabetic, which was why I stayed on at the job until now. I still have insurance through the end of the year, and I might be able to afford COBRA for a while after, but eventually I need to find some kind of other insurance.

If, in fact, someone with a preexisting condition can find insurance. Does anyone have advice or can point towards some resources for trying to find something? What I'd really need would be something that would cover big medical problems, like me having a heart attack or getting ravaged by badgers. The day to day stuff I can almost certain pay out of pocket.

Suggestions?
  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    National Association for the Self-Employed
    Health Insurance, Individual Health Insurance Quotes, Medical Insurance
    Individual Family Group medical plans | Anthem Blue Cross Health Insurance

    I have gambled with no insurance for almost 5 years now - I figured I saved about $16,500 (at average $350 per month)

    ... but just got caught in an emergency - it will still be the case that I saved money just paying for that and even factoring in all I have spent out of pocket for vision and dental during this time - alot - but I would have spent nearly the same amount even with major medical.

    For you with a health problem I don't suggest gambling of course. COBRA is very expensive and although I had that option I did not take it - if you can hang on to that it would be wise - there is no way you can match what a large group insurance plan gives you when you are an individual. You will pay more to get much less.

    The National Association for the Self Employed throws in a lot of other benefits you wouldn't normally get with health insurance and the costs are competitive to other individual plans.



    Good luck.
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    Patricia Brucoli
    Plug-In Profit Site Helpdesk

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Justin,

    I was JUST going to suggest NASE, like patrician!

    The "preexisting condition" garbage was a MYTH!!!!!! It was conditions existing BEFORE, in other words preexisting, BEFORE you were insured! So what is the difference? WELL, if you were insured BEFORE the condition, and you haven't had a gap over 90 days in your coverage, they are required to cover you! HECK, **I** was insured, had OPEN HEART SURGERY, and my employer changed insurance, with a MORON as an insurance agent. The insurance company REFUSED to give me further coverage because of a "pre-existing condiition". Once we proved that the agent effectively LIED to them(By getting the previous insurance company to prove I was insured around that time, etc...), they covered it FINE! The insurance was changed twice again, in fact it is now the same insurer that turned me down before, with NO incident! BTW only the LAST 2 insurance changes happened after the current admin.

    Patrician,

    I used to be plenty healthy. My life changed OVERNIGHT!

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    I hear you Steve. Being in the emergency for 5 hours a few weeks ago really made me freaking wake up - about a lot of things I have been in denial about.

    It can happen to anyone at any time - I have been so blessed with good health and I am telling you it is one of the most valuable blessings there are in life. I don't care what else you may have, if you don't have your health your life will suck.

    I think I am going to be more careful about a lot of things. Once again 'The Comforter' was over my shoulder telling me not to freak out, it was nothing serious. Of course He was right - however as I said it was a wake up call.
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    Patricia Brucoli
    Plug-In Profit Site Helpdesk

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  • Profile picture of the author MrD500
    Banned
    I'm guessing there should be some kind of assistance for your situation out there if you need it. I could be wrong but I think you can get extensions for COBRA for an additional year or something like that but it sounds like you need something more affordable. You can try calling some of the bigger health insurance companies such as Aetna and possibly get a quote for personal health insurance. Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      Don't delay in getting all your options so you can make a choice before you are forced into something.

      You will also have to verify if it is 90 days without coverage, but where I am, 60 days is what I remember.
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      • Profile picture of the author Justin Jordan
        Thanks, everyone! That actually gives me a good place to start looking.
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