Over the past decade the Internet has facilitated the globalization of our economy and enabled a new emerging category of the workforce. It has been estimated that as much as 20% of the work force are people that are self employed or independent contractors with no employer sponsored benefits. This represents a significant growth in the percentage of the population of people that once worked for companies and were most likely covered by an employer group plan. Many people choose to work this way and many others are forced into it. In either case, it is often the first time they are faced with the need to think much about Health Insurance.

Self-employed and independent contractors must select from an [See IF Plan]. In most cases, these plans can insure a single person or an entire Family. Health Care Coverage and Insurance plans for an Individual/family is relatively easy to figure out because everyone to be covered is part of the same family. That being said, the needs of adult individuals are typically quite different than those of dependent children. Since no two people are the same, settling on a policy for the Small Business will require some participation on everyone's part. (See Questions/Guidelines to Follow).

With the exception of two states (WA, ME) the medical history of the member is used by the coverage providers and insurance carriers to determine whether or not a person is accepted and the Premium amount. WA and ME are referred to as Guaranteed Issue while there remaining states are considered Underwritten. Certain health issues in a person’s history can make being approved for an individual/family policy problematic. It is best to contact a local licensed health insurance Agent who is familiar with a number of insurance carrier’s underwriting guidelines and any county/state programs that may be available in the event a person’s medical history prevents them from being approved. It is also important to have an agent working on your behalf in the event the policy is not approved as they may be able to help you with an appeal of the insurance carrier’s decision.

Finally, self-employed, independent contractors, and small business owners may also be able to take advantage of FSA, HSA, HRA, and HRA105 tax advantage programs with can be used in conjunction with a Health Care Plan to provide additional flexibility in managing medical care costs and gain tax advantages. You will be sure to want to address these options with Licensed Certified Field Broker/Agent ( Click Here). For additional information on these CDHC options FSA, HSA, and HRA Plans.

What to do?

Be prepared that health insurance is not inexpensive no matter how young or healthy you are. Secondly, as an independent business person you should appreciate the importance of working with people that are knowledgeable and qualified to do the job. Your health insurance decision should be though of as one of the most important decision you may make. The following two steps are quite important:

1. Familiarize yourself with as much information as you can using this site starting with the three Cs of health care plans Cost, Coverage and Control (Click Here ); and

2. Contact a Licensed Certified Field Broker/Agent ( Click Here) who is well versed in the plan options available in your area and can also answer any questions you may have and help you navigate through the options. While shopping for health insurance on the internet can be convenient, it can prove to be disastrous if one does not know exactly what they need and want. A qualified local agent can help you determine which plans are realistically available to you and which ones create the best value from your perspective. The cost of the plan premium is identical either way.

You may also want to take a quick glance at Pathway to Your Health Care Plan which hopefully make you feel at ease that you have come to a consumer oriented site designed to demistify the terms and process. 

How do I determine the best value health care plan for me?

Rather than blindly take someone’s advice you may want to glance at What Health Care Plan Type Should I Buy? to give you a glance of why certain people buy the type of plan you do or Balancing Premium Cost vs. Out-of-Pocket Expenses (Click Here) which will give you a quick insight on how to get the best value which is a very different question than best price.

Which type plan is right for me?

You have hit right to the heart of the purpose of this site. We have developed a very concise and simply means by which you can easily grasp the essential principles you, and indeed everyone that is responsible for managing their own health care, needs to be aware of. We refer to it as the three Cs of health care. For more information Cost, Coverage and Control (Click Here ). As we also indicated, we recommend that you see the insight of a Licensed Certified Field Broker/Agent ( Click Here) who will be able to advise you on what plans and options are realistically available to you in your area.

How can I save money or lower my health care plan expenses?

This is one question on virtually on everyone’s mind that has to fund their own health care. There are a wide variety of plans available on the market today with prices that range from “too good to be true” to “so expensive who can afford them?”. It is very unwise to shop solely on the basis of price. Some of the really low cost plans are, in fact, not health care coverage or insurance at all! Discount Plans are not insurance, beware! Other low cost plans provide such limited financial protection that people often wonder why they bought it.