Health Insurance for Self-Employed

[leslienord]

Looking for suggestions on Health/Dental insurance for self-employed. I have a very good plan here at the day job and most everything I've found for self-employed can't hold a candle to it.

LOL - wouldn't it be cool if we could get a "developers" group rate?

Anywho - I'm looking for options as the times are a changing here.

Many thanks!

[DesignExtend-MSI]

I went through the Assoc. of the Self Employed. Rates are pretty good and they offer coverage world wide with no restrictions on doctors & networks if necessary.

[leslienord]

Assoc. of the Self Employed.

Do you have any links for it?

Thanks!

[apanda]

I have an HSA-compatible insurance plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield. (HSA = Health Savings Account) It isn't for everyone, but the advantage is that you can contribute around $2800/year to your account (this is generally how high your deductible is) and take it as a tax deduction. The money in your savings account can then be used to pay for medical expenses. HSA compatible plans have a higher deductible and a lower monthly premium.

We kept my husband on a traditional plan because he has more expenses than me (prescriptions) and a lower deductible and prescription copays along with the higher monthly premium worked out to be a better deal. Since I don't have $2800/year in expenses, I just use the money in the HSA to pay for his expenses. A spouse can use an HSA to pay for family medical expenses (just not insurance premiums). He has his insurance through a local medical system. It is pretty reasonable.

To get what I had at my day job, I'd have to pay at least $250/month. I now pay just over $100/mo. For me, the $150/mo savings vs. how much I actually use my insurance (not much) was a good deal.

[apanda]

Here is a good resource for finding out more about HSA's:
http://www.hsainsider.com/

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

Do you have any links for it?

Thanks!
http://www.nase.org/

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

LOL - wouldn't it be cool if we could get a "developers" group rate?



Hmm, maybe Miva could look into "sponsering" this and offerring it to their store owners...the thinking being that many are probably self-employed...

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

In a way, thats exactly what the NASE does. It uses its membership of thousands to secure group rates for those that are self-employed.

[DesignExtend-MSI]

Do you have any links for it?

Thanks!

http://www.nase.org

[DesignExtend-MSI]

In a way, thats exactly what the NASE does. It uses its membership of thousands to secure group rates for those that are self-employed.

Yep. And they are far less expensive than anything MIVA or any other small group could get. Think of it like SAG, only it's a group of Self Employeed - hundreds of thousands going in under one group.

My rates are about $120 less PER MONTH than if I went it alone.

[abbhie]

I suggest you to visit Insurance-Quote-Free (http://www.insurance-quote-free.com) they offer affordable and reliable insurance services just right for your insurance Needs.

[aGorilla]

I suggest you to visit Insurance-Quote-Free (http://www.insurance-quote-free.com) they offer affordable and reliable insurance services just right for your insurance Needs.

umm, this smells a _lot_ like spam. Seems 'abbhie' is on a forum joining kick.
http://www.google.com/search?q=abbhie
http://www.familyresource.com/forum/profile.php?id=22
http://forums.theautochannel.com/search.php?search_author=abbhie&sid=7b91098a020f4802cd69096d39ba29e1

mods: feel free to delete this, when you delete it.

[Julie Wilber]

I looked at the site, and while it raised an eyebrow, it is in an appropriate thread, and the link does take you to where it says.

Have no fear, we do watch the forums and try to keep the spammers at bay.