What do you self employed do for health insurance

**Jngrbrdman** · 04-08-2009, 11:07 PM

I`m looking around and there are too many options out there and I have no idea what I`m looking for. So I`m wondering what you self employed do for health insurance if you actually have it. My kids are covered by a state program that works great for people who are 1099 contract employees and consultants, but there aren`t any programs in my state for adults. COBRA runs insanely high for a family of 5 like mine. Over $1200 per month. YIKES!! So I`m looking for other options and would love some suggestions if you have any.

**RANDAL** · 04-09-2009, 07:03 AM

What do you have now? My insurance company is Reserve National and they SUCK. But being my size it was the only option I had 20 years ago. Blue Croo/Blue Sheild seems to be what lots of people have here. I had that when on my folks coverage but waited a month to long to be automatically switched to my own policy. Took 5 years to find a company that would accept me. Only used it once, a year ago, no out patient (really sucks when cat scan is $3000), they told me surgeon covered 100%, for my surgery they did not cover, which wasnt that bad $750. Over $10k out of my pocket in 2008 for my medical bills.

**Poorboy** · 04-09-2009, 09:16 AM

I told my wife she has to keep working forever to keep our insurance

**CharlesW** · 04-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Since your kids are covered, you are evidently looking for coverage for you and your wife, right?

One thing I would check is what companies your doctor accepts. Some companies and doctors don`t play well together. It is not uncommon to have to find a new doctor because your insurance company doesn`t have them on their "approved list". That might not be a problem for you, but I happened to have a lot of faith in the doctor I used and wanted to stay with him.
We always stayed with Blue Cross/Blue Shield because of their relationship with most doctors and hospitals. It might not have been the cheapest, but it was comparable at the time.
Unfortunately, the $1200 for a family plan is probably close to the going rate with any of the well known companies. When my wife COBRA`d in for a few years after her retirement until she was eligible for Medicare, the cost was close to $500 for just her.

I have never researched it, but I was once told that you can purchase coverage for major expenditures with you paying for the smaller bills. Kind of like a higher deductible on your car insurance.

**flash gordon** · 04-09-2009, 04:01 PM

You have 3 kids? First thing you need to do is sell that New Bike. You have 3 children & Wife who probally are depending on you to stick around for a while. First Ins. you should purchase is Term Life $40-$50pr.mo for $500,000 it may be a little cheaper depending on age,cigarettes and motorcycle riders.

As far as Health Ins. Blue Cross will probally be best bet.Another thought you may wanna put House/Real Estate into a Trust in case something bad ever happens your property can`t be touched...You can set up a simple Trust for around $1,200-$2,000. Good Luck.

**Jngrbrdman** · 04-11-2009, 05:00 PM

Right now I don`t have anything. I was laid off from my job and I`m working with a startup company that isn`t likely to succeed. I would have benefits with them 90 days from my date of hire (still two months left) but I don`t know that I`ll be with them that long. I`m probably going to jump ship and go with a couple other guys who I respect a lot more and believe will be able to make it successful. The chances of them having any kind of health insurance plan is pretty slim, but I`ll be paid well enough that I can afford to pick something up. I just need to know where to look...

**flash gordon** · 04-11-2009, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jngrbrdman

Right now I don`t have anything. I was laid off from my job and I`m working with a startup company that isn`t likely to succeed. I would have benefits with them 90 days from my date of hire (still two months left) but I don`t know that I`ll be with them that long. I`m probably going to jump ship and go with a couple other guys who I respect a lot more and believe will be able to make it successful. The chances of them having any kind of health insurance plan is pretty slim, but I`ll be paid well enough that I can afford to pick something up. I just need to know where to look...

I,m not real computer suavy but I`m sure somewhere there is a place you could find that offers multiple quotes. However you need to not only check on $$$ but also tha coverage. Good Luck on your new Ventures.... and oh yea SALE tha bike

**Poorboy** · 04-11-2009, 07:00 PM

That bites Anthony and you are not alone ... we certainly need a health care system that everyone can afford ..

**newbug1** · 05-29-2009, 12:24 AM

It`s timely that you bring this up, since I was going to post the same question!

I am contemplating what to do about a job when I move back to Pittsburgh. I thought about staying with Borders books, but most of us who follow the company know that they will probably be gone by June `10.

I know that some places, such as Starbucks, offer benefits to Part-Time employees. That`s what I did when I had my small detail business in Pittsburgh, and I may have to do it again.

**sal329** · 05-29-2009, 01:13 AM

https://www.getinsured.com/
My fiance has a plan from United $170 a month, we have only used it for Dr visits and prescriptions for that I have no complaints.

**dr_detail** · 05-30-2009, 02:01 AM

I pray, and thank G~d every day that none of us (my 3 kids or me) have gotten hurt!

**GothamAuto** · 06-10-2009, 09:16 AM

I have health insurance through my local chamber of commerce. If you are a member, you should ask them if they offer a group plan through the chamber

**fourseasons** · 08-21-2010, 04:57 PM

Check out NASA its a small business association that offers health insurance.

**fourseasons** · 08-21-2010, 05:03 PM

also, when you shop for insurance dont just look at the monthly premium. look at the deductibles. saving 40 bucks a month isnt good if your deductible for hospitalization went up 4 grand. find a company that will offer plans cafeteria style. for instance i see my doctor 2 or 3 times a year. I pay 60 bucks each time for a total of 180 per year. the cost for doctor visits(15 per visit coverage) was over 400 dollars per year. i also dont have e room coverage. if i get release from e room, great ill pay. but If i get admitted to a room upstairs than that it what could bankrupt me if i didnt have hospitalization coverages. this was alot but hope it helps steer you in the right direction.