What do you self employed do for health insurance

Jngrbrdman

Jngrbrdman

New member
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
:cool: 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.
:cool: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.:cool: :dcrules
 
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...
 
Jngrbrdman said:
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...
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:cool: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:cool: :dcrules
 
That bites Anthony and you are not alone ... we certainly need a health care system that everyone can afford .. :wall
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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