Writers What Do You Do About Health Insurance?

22 replies
I have been writing articles for a long time now and have made a solid income from it. The problem I face being self employed though is health insurance. Luckily for me I am single with no kids, so I only have myself to insure. However I am still having a hard time getting insurance for an affordable rate. Are there any special resources for those who are self employed to get afforable insurance?
#health #insurance #writers
  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    The best thing to do is marry someone who has good coverage and get added to their plan

    Insurance is the main reason I still work a part-time job. It allows me to get group coverage.

    There are plans you can find through self-employment groups and sometimes your local chamber of commerce.

    The insurance industry varies so much from state to state that's it's hard to offer good advice. Talking to a local broker is usually the best way to go.

    Maybe someone with more information will jump on this thread....
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  • Profile picture of the author pheonix44
    The best thing to do is marry someone who has good coverage and get added to their plan
    Don't plan on doing that anytime soon. lol
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    • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
      This, unfortunately, is the major drawback with working for oneself in the USA. The majority of other counties (several I've lived in), offer excellent healthcare without you needing to buy individual health insurance. But don't get me started down that path...:rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Depends on which state you live in... did you move to the coast? If so, Kaiser is cheapest, (but also hardest to deal with). That I know of.
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    • Profile picture of the author robsterhews
      I was an independent health insurance for many years in Florida. It appears you are not able to get added on a family members insurance.

      I want to make this as simple to understand as possible. A detailed post so you understand completely would be about 100,000 words (min)!

      Go see an insurance agent and explain your situation. You probably need an individual policy. Buy a plan with a name that you have heard before - not some obscure company.

      Agents can't sell these plans for different prices - the prices are regulated and the price will be the same who ever you talk sign the papers with.

      As far as what plan to choose... choose something you can afford. No matter what you buy, realize you will be disappointed in it from time to time.

      BCBS offers so many individual plans it will make your head spin. The easiest way to understand is - the more you pay - the better the plan.

      Remember - it is a very regulated industry. An agent can't charge you more or less just because he wants to. Unfortunately, that's what many people think.

      Buy what you can afford.

      Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author capnpablo
    Are there any writers' associations you could join that offer any kind of "group" insurance plan? Even if it was an organization where you had to pay monthly dues, if they offered group insurance to members, it may be cheaper than what you could find on your own.
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  • Profile picture of the author pheonix44
    Depends on which state you live in... did you move to the coast? If so, Kaiser is cheapest, (but also hardest to deal with). That I know of.
    I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have a supplemental plan now, but that does not do me much good.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    Maybe you can contact at least three healthcare providers. Since insurance is expensive, ask about catastrophic coverage.

    BCBS stinks. My opinion. When I had insurance several years back, they always seemed to find a way to determine any healthcare cost as one that was not covered, but applied towards the deductible.

    Find a local agent who can help you understand the complexity of the plans. It is ridiculous the terms of an insurance policy are almost, or as bad as the complex world of real estate finance.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    Even though it's a pain to find good health insurance and an even bigger pain to pay for it...I would suggest not going to long without any if you can avoid it. My 22 year old son had to go to the emergency room a few months ago. His bill was over $4,000. And that was with nothing being seriously wrong. Had he needed surgery, etc. I can't even imagine how high the bill might have been.
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  • Profile picture of the author lisakleinweber
    I had blue cross blue shield for a while. It's called Regence blue cross blue shield here. I paid $202 a month for the evolve core plan for myself, my husband, and my son. I went the route that robsterhews describes in order to get it - I just looked in the phone book and called an agent.

    It wasn't great coverage, but it wasn't bad either. We don't go to the doctor much so we hardly used it. My son does take one medication sometimes that I couldn't get in generic, so it was going to cost me $125 out of pocket. I got it from a canada pharmacy for $60 and didn't bother trying to get my insurance to pay any of it.

    Now my husband has a job and good insurance.

    p.s. for dental, I paid regence $22 a month for just my son, and my husband and I went through a plan called Willamette where everything is a set price and there is no deductible or anything. They did this by doing everything in house (making crowns and everything) and having house dentists instead of your own personal dentist. Much more affordable than regular insurance.
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  • Profile picture of the author BWellman
    Health insurance is a difficult subject. I have a full time job and I pay almost as much as I would with COBRA - that's sooo expensive, but with a kid I have to have the coverage. I know some of the well know car insurers also have coverage - but it's not as comprehensive. I'm sticking with the job until I make oodles of money so that I don't even think about the cost - it's all relative anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
    Single, no kids, self employed writer. Move to Costa Rica. My medical is $40 per month, everything included.
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    • Profile picture of the author LeahRae
      Originally Posted by SiteSmarty View Post

      Single, no kids, self employed writer. Move to Costa Rica. My medical is $40 per month, everything included.

      Are you an expat? I've been fascinated by the country for years. How is the Internet & Cell phone infrastructure?
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  • Profile picture of the author fitz10
    Check with your Chamber of Commerce or other networking groups. Many of them have group health insurance for self-employed people you can buy in to.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    It's threads like this that remind me how fortunate I am to be living in a country with fabulous health care.
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  • Profile picture of the author LeahRae
    Originally Posted by pheonix44 View Post

    I have been writing articles for a long time now and have made a solid income from it. The problem I face being self employed though is health insurance. Luckily for me I am single with no kids, so I only have myself to insure. However I am still having a hard time getting insurance for an affordable rate. Are there any special resources for those who are self employed to get afforable insurance?
    Not as far as I can tell - Most want to charge me between $400 - $600.

    I am self employed, no kids, non-smoker, no health issues in family (it is a constant source of amusement for family members to tell doctors we have no history of any issues), runner, workout 3x a week, healthy eater, Mostly veggies & fish, vitamins, I haven't had a cold in years, I get regular checkups, I floss & visit the dentist every 6 months etc...

    I have been thinking of putting my money in a health savings account with a high deductible major medical. As I understand it the health savings takes care of out of pocket & the major medical is for catastrophic events.
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  • Profile picture of the author pheonix44
    Single, no kids, self employed writer. Move to Costa Rica. My medical is $40 per month, everything included.
    How hard is it to do that?
    I have been thinking of putting my money in a health savings account with a high deductible major medical. As I understand it the health savings takes care of out of pocket & the major medical is for catastrophic events.
    I have heard the term "health savings" account before but do not understand it. What exactly is that?
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  • Profile picture of the author robsterhews
    Medical insurance is a complex matter and you will go round and round and get no where until you talk to someone knowledgeable.

    Find an independent agent - someone who offers many things - Expl - Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Signa - you don't want an agent that just works with one company.

    Talk to them and listen - buy what you can afford.

    Myths --

    A group plan is better (cheaper, better quality) than an individual plan - not always true.

    I get the best deal because I am covered by my spouse - not always true.
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  • Profile picture of the author stopper
    health insurance seems to be like any other insurance groups get lower rates than individuals
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    Hey Rob,
    Since you're the health insurance expert I have a question for you. How hard would it be for Warriors to set up some sort of group plan? Would that ever be an option? It wouldn't really need to be connected to WF in any way. But would it be possible to form some sort of IM organization and get group coverage?
    Rose
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  • Profile picture of the author pheonix44
    Hey Rob,
    Since you're the health insurance expert I have a question for you. How hard would it be for Warriors to set up some sort of group plan? Would that ever be an option? It wouldn't really need to be connected to WF in anyway. But would it be possible to form some sort of IM organization and get group coverage?
    Rose

    That sounds like it would be a good plan.
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