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Getting Health Insurance If You're Self Employed
By: Gray Rollins
Self employment offers a lot of freedom for the lucky and dedicated people who
make it their lifestyle. A self employed person has the ability to set his or
her own schedule and to grow his or her career as high as the sky without
needing to deal with the workplace politics that can stunt so many aspirations.
Instead of waiting to be promoted, self employed people are able to take control
of their career advancement. However, it can be difficult for any self employed
person to take control of his or her health insurance.
Carrying health insurance costs can be a sizable burden, especially if you are
just starting out a new career. Many people yearn to make the jump to being self
employed, but even the most careful planners often underestimate the real
monthly cost of health insurance. Before you decide to realize your dream of
self employment, it is important to consider how much you may end up paying for
health insurance if you do become self employed. Gather as much information as
you can; find about the possible rates you will need to pay to cover yourself
and any dependents that you have; and make sure that you factor those figures
into your budget.
As a self employed person, you cannot take advantage of the kind of bulk rates
that a traditional employer pays to cover his or her employee’s health insurance
costs, which is one reason why insurance rates for self employed people are so
high. However, with a bit of research you may discover that you have access to a
low bulk insurance rate through a non-corporate affiliation. Look into insurance
programs related to educational institutions that you or a family member is
affiliated with, and find out if your religious background might enable you to
join an organization that can offer you a discount on your health insurance,
like the B’nai Brith.
If you are not already a member of a group that can help you get an affordable
health insurance rate, consider what groups you may be eligible to join. The
Freelancer’s Union was created in part for the purpose of allowing self employed
people to get health insurance at discounted rates by bringing freelancers
together. Look into options in your local community as well as nationwide
organizations like this union. Sometimes, finding affordable health insurance as
a self employed person is just a matter of being resourceful and thinking
creatively.
About the Author:
Gray Rollins writes for GettingHealthInsurance. To learn about self employed health insurance and small business health insurance. |
