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Thread: Health Insurance

  1. #1
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    Exclamation Health Insurance

    I'm looking for Health Insurance for the "self-employed" on the internet. I dont know which to choose. I need something for health,medical, dental, and vision.
    Does anybody here have health insurance? Which do you recommend?
    I have also thought about getting a part time job just for the insurance and taxes.

    Any recommendations would help. Thanks

  2. #2
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    A part-time job won't provide you with insurance. That's why employers hire part-timers, so they don't have to provide benefits. I'm sure there are a couple of rare exceptions, but they would be rare exceptions.

    If you're getting full coverage, expect to pay several thousand a month. If you are young and healthy and you have no dependents, you're probably better off just gambling on being uninsured.

  3. #3
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    a lot of times you can't et health benefits if you're a part-time employee, so consider that. I'm not sure what you mean when you say you want it for taxes. Are you saying that you want it so you don't have to pay tax on your dancing income? Well, you still will have to do that. But if you're doing it just "to show something", then you will probably be wasting your time.

    Consider what you make per hour dancing versus some odd job. I would imagine an extra 20 hours per week would net you about $150ish (after taxes) at a regular job. You can make that EASY in one night dancing, use the extra money to buy your own health insurance, pay taxes, and still have money left over.

    I pay about $160 per month in health insurance for self-employed. It's really not that expensive, but I also have high deductibles. Yours might be more or less depending on the level of coverage you want and your health, but it's cheap compared to taking a shit-pay job.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah
    If you're getting full coverage, expect to pay several thousand a month. If you are young and healthy and you have no dependents, you're probably better off just gambling on being uninsured.
    I totally disagree with this. You could be financially ruined if you get into an accident or are seriously sick....not to mention being able to get the care you need. it's not that much money to make sure you don't go bankrupt. half of the bankruptcies declared are because of medical bills that someone can't pay.

  5. #5
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    It's definitely a gamble, I agree. I'm just saying that it might be better than paying several thousand a month. It sounds like you got a really good deal; I've never heard of such a low insurance rate! Good on you for landing that one.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Most I've seen have been between $200 and $400 a month with relatively high deductables, like Emily said.

    Yes, there are some part-time jobs that pay health insurance (Starbucks being one I'm sure of) but for the most part you need to be a 40-hour a week employee for most companies to qualify for it. And even then, most companies do not pay for it entirely, so you might as well forgo the part-time job and suck up the monthly payment.

    A close friend of mine, who doesn't have insurance, just found out she has kidney problems. Now she's $35,000 in debt and still racking up charges in treatments. And she can't get insurance now, because once you find out there is a problem most insurance companies will not cover a pre-existing condition.



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  7. #7
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Bah...when I had insurance as a part timer it sucked ass. It didn't cover much at all, and when I actually needed it I ended up paying the full amount for my doctor visit, x-rays, and medication.

    Now I'm going to be on Mox's insurance...he'll get a hella better deal than I ever could!

    Point being- You'd just be better off getting it yourself rather than getting another job.

  8. #8
    God/dess montythegeek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quoted because it is exactly on point!

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily
    a lot of times you can't et health benefits if you're a part-time employee, so consider that. I'm not sure what you mean when you say you want it for taxes. Are you saying that you want it so you don't have to pay tax on your dancing income? Well, you still will have to do that. But if you're doing it just "to show something", then you will probably be wasting your time.

    Consider what you make per hour dancing versus some odd job. I would imagine an extra 20 hours per week would net you about $150ish (after taxes) at a regular job. You can make that EASY in one night dancing, use the extra money to buy your own health insurance, pay taxes, and still have money left over.

    I pay about $160 per month in health insurance for self-employed. It's really not that expensive, but I also have high deductibles. Yours might be more or less depending on the level of coverage you want and your health, but it's cheap compared to taking a shit-pay job.
    MAny employers will let you GET insurance as a part-time employee (even Walmart), but they do not provide it, you have to pay. The important consideration is what you give up in time-"opportunity costs"- to get the insurance. As a hypothetical if you pass up working 2 nights per month for a parttime job paying some insurance benefit and average $250/night net--you are paying $500 per month for the right to pay $300 per month for insurance. Working 4 extra nights per month pays you $1000 per month to buy it yourself with money left over.

    At the least have hospital insurance and some catastrophic drug coverage. My wife of 5.3 weeks had no insurance and developed diabetes. Insulin is not cheap and at three shots per day was $440 per WEEK. There are numerous expensive diseases which can set you back hundreds per week, even if you appear healthy (plus stop or eliminate your ability to earn income). Just slipping on the ice and breaking your arm/leg can cost several grand and keep you from working for 6 weeks.

  9. #9
    Jay Zeno
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    I make it affordable with catastrophic insurance. I figure I can negotiate or finagle a $5,000 emergency medical bill - but what I really need help with is if I come down with the big C or crack my pumpkin falling off my bike.

    Keep an eye on Congress. They're trying to pass a bill that would allow trade associations to be employer groups for obtaining group health care. Trade associations love the concept. Insurance companies hate it. Congressmen and women, secure with their free, 100% coverage, are seeing another possibility of showing that they care about the working slobs trying to navigate through this insurance swamp. If it passes, you might - might - see some significant savings if - if - you belong to a qualified trade association.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily

    I pay about $160 per month in health insurance for self-employed. It's really not that expensive, but I also have high deductibles. Yours might be more or less depending on the level of coverage you want and your health, but it's cheap compared to taking a shit-pay job.
    Which health insurance company are you with Em?







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  11. #11
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    World Insurance of Omaha NE

    Here's my exact coverage:

    Lifetime Max- $5 million
    Yearly deductible -$1000
    co-insurance- 80/20 in PPO and 60/40 out of PPO up to $10,000
    yealry out of pocket max- $2000 in PPO and $4000 out of PPO
    office visits $40 in PPO
    tests $50 in PPO
    emergency room $250
    prescription drugs $250 deductible, then generic $15 and brand $35

    so you can see I pay a lot out of pocket...the PPO network is pretty big too.

  12. #12
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by Jay Zeno
    Keep an eye on Congress. They're trying to pass a bill that would allow trade associations to be employer groups for obtaining group health care. Trade associations love the concept. Insurance companies hate it. Congressmen and women, secure with their free, 100% coverage, are seeing another possibility of showing that they care about the working slobs trying to navigate through this insurance swamp. If it passes, you might - might - see some significant savings if - if - you belong to a qualified trade association.
    That's the way it already works in the film industry. We are an entire industry of freelancers and the self-employed; we get insurance and pensions through the unions. The good news is that we get pretty good coverage for the price of union dues. The bad news is that once you join, the unions basically own you, and it takes a long time to become eligible to join. I've been in the business for two years and I'm still not union yet; my bf's union is the hardest to get into and he's still not union after almost eight years. So it doesn't work for everyone.

  13. #13
    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily
    World Insurance of Omaha NE

    Here's my exact coverage:

    Lifetime Max- $5 million
    Yearly deductible -$1000
    co-insurance- 80/20 in PPO and 60/40 out of PPO up to $10,000
    yealry out of pocket max- $2000 in PPO and $4000 out of PPO
    office visits $40 in PPO
    tests $50 in PPO
    emergency room $250
    prescription drugs $250 deductible, then generic $15 and brand $35

    so you can see I pay a lot out of pocket...the PPO network is pretty big too.
    That's a REAL good deal for personal coverage, and not bad at all for out of pocket. We actually have a real shitty pool, over a third 60+ now, another third young women at peak child birthing ages, and pay over 2.5 times that between copay and employer contribution for an HMO without a referral requirement.

    The only things cheaper are 25 OF, and 75 ER. Everything is equivelant or worse for me. No dental or optic included.

  14. #14
    Veteran Member bella622's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    I would suggest going to this link..


    www.ehealthinsurance.com

    I saved $$ by switching from a PPO to an HMO... I really just wanted the insurance just in case... The premiums are based off your age and medical health history... Insurance is not that expensive if you compare it to the costs associated with doctors bills.
    Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul... - Marilyn Monroe

  15. #15
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Whew i don't know about those HMO's these days. I work at a hospital and have coverage. I am pt, they cover, but if you are a per-diem you get paid more, so they buy their own insurance.

    I like the PPO's today better. ALOT of doctors are having problems, and don't care for HMO
    s!!
    I have thought about leaving for good (left once) and just buying my own as well. But i hear the way to go is a PPO???

    Not sure why. I guess it has to do with medical malpractice and doctor groups etc.

    Pamela

  16. #16
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    I saw a TV ad for Assurant Health Insurance: 1-800-808-4506
    It's for self-employed people & independent contractors.

  17. #17
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by lunchbox
    That's a REAL good deal for personal coverage, and not bad at all for out of pocket. We actually have a real shitty pool, over a third 60+ now, another third young women at peak child birthing ages, and pay over 2.5 times that between copay and employer contribution for an HMO without a referral requirement.

    The only things cheaper are 25 OF, and 75 ER. Everything is equivelant or worse for me. No dental or optic included.
    oh yeah, there is some kind of caveat about me getting pregnant. I forgot what it is, but basically it wasn't good coverage for someone with kids or planning to have kids. That wasn't really a concern for me, but it might be for someone else.

    and someone mentioned HMOs....they are better than nothing, so if cost is a huge issue, then I uess it's worth considering, but I really feel that PPOs are the way to go. If you have an HMO doctor, he is resticted in how long he can spend with you, what tests he can run, what he can prescribe, and how he can treat you. There are actually limits to how many patients he can admit to the ICU, etc. So if you need certain care, sometimes he can't authorize it. Plus a lot of times you have to see a primary care physicial before a specialist. With a PPO, you don't have these issues.

  18. #18
    buffie06
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    does anyone know of a good plan for someone who plans to have kids?

  19. #19
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Wouldnt it be nice if you were rewarded for not useing your insurance ? I had great insurance for 17 years and really only had a once a year check-up etc . I rode out being sick as I rarely got sick once a year . Now though as I get older I have a blood pressure problem which I could perhaps fix on my own with a little diet and exercise ( but it does run in the family so its a toss - up ) . I really hate when I saw people who just flat out abused the system and I and yourselves are paying for it . We seem to be paying essentially for malpractice suites !

  20. #20
    AudreyLeigh
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    i dont know why people hate HMOs so much. I had Kaiser and LOVED it... Im planning on getting them again after the holidays are over...

  21. #21
    Veteran Member bella622's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh
    i dont know why people hate HMOs so much. I had Kaiser and LOVED it... but I always hear about people having probs with them...
    I had them... I wasn't as crazy about them... I switched to Blue Cross and haven't had any complaints. I think a lot of people don't like having a limited selection of doctors to go to. I dunno... I try to avoid going to the doctors unless I have to.

    For me though it is really the most economical way for me to go. Low co-pays and low prescriptions, affordable monthly payments and no deductable to meet.
    Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul... - Marilyn Monroe

  22. #22
    Featured Member Lizette's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    I think health insurance is the biggest racket around. You pay thousands per year just to be "safe" sometimes with a high deductable and no prescription coverage. [ /rant ]

  23. #23
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    many states now offer gov't subsidized health insurance for small businesses to cover their 'employees'. All you have to do is form a corporation/LLC and apply for coverage as the only 'employee'. Applying as a small business rather than an individual can often result in lower insurance rates even if no subsidized coverage is available in your state.

  24. #24
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by bella622
    I had them... I wasn't as crazy about them... I switched to Blue Cross and haven't had any complaints. I think a lot of people don't like having a limited selection of doctors to go to. I dunno... I try to avoid going to the doctors unless I have to.

    For me though it is really the most economical way for me to go. Low co-pays and low prescriptions, affordable monthly payments and no deductable to meet.
    True. And around my area many doctors are not accepting HMO's.

    Pamela

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    God/dess FBR's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance

    Quote Originally Posted by Lizette
    I think health insurance is the biggest racket around. You pay thousands per year just to be "safe" sometimes with a high deductable and no prescription coverage. [ /rant ]
    I agree most of of feel this way whenever we write the monthly premium check or see it deducted from our paycheck. That is, until you have a serious illness or injury. My son had a horrendous non-automobile accident back during the summer. He was in the hospital for almost 4 weeks, the first week of which was in ICU. The bill for the hospital alone was over $150,000. Im glad I have insurance.

    FBR
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