Tips on Finding Health Insurance

From Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink, here are ten places to look for health insurance.

  1. Your employeed spouse. This does not work for everyone, but it is often the best choice.
  2. COBRA. Yes, it's expensive, but it is often the best bridge to another plan.
  3. Labor unions, guilds, and professional associations. At first, it might seem that this doesn't apply to any of us, but it's worth investigating. For example, for those of us in the IT business, ACM (http://www.acm.org) offers insurance programs. Other places to look:
    1. http://www.workingtoday.org/
    2. National Association of the Self-Employed (http://www.nase.org/)
    3. National Federation of Independent Businesses (http://www.nfib.org/)
    4. Your local Chamber of Commerce
    5. Locally, we've had recommendations for Sue Walton of Affordable Health Insurance Plans.  Her email is ahip@chilitech.com and her phone is 542-4245.
  4. Group purchasing programs. In some states, small business owners can form group purchasing pools to get better rates from insurance companies. I don't know how or if this works in North Carolina.
  5. The open market. It may not be cheap, but it's an option. Some places to start:
    1. Blue Cross/Blue Shield (http://www.bluecross.com/)
    2. Be sure that the carrier you choose has a high rating with A. M. Best. (http://www.ambest.com/)
    3. HIPAA provides that people with certain conditions can't be denied insurance. Check with the federal government for more guidance. (http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/hipaa/)
  6. Online. You can get quotes online, although you may have to work with an insurance agent for purchasing. Places to start:
    1. http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
    2. http://www.quotesmith.com/
  7. A talent agency. If you go into business for yourself, even temporarily, and use a talent agency to help locate work, this may be another alternative.Or you can "outsource" your HR function to a Professional Employer Association, which may offer insurance as well as other business services (see http://www.napeo.org/).
  8. A high-deductable policy, or an accident insurance policy. These provide less coverage, but they may be enough to provide catastrophic care, prescription benefits, and more.
  9. Medical Savings Accounts. You can set these up, similar to an IRA, and contribute to them on a regular basis.
  10. The federal government. If you're eligible for coverage by Medicare or Medicaid, take advantage of it. Some disabilities, as well as low income, may qualify you for coverage even if you're under 65.
  11. Student health insurance plans. If you are taking classes from a university or from a community college, you may be eligible for health insurance plans available to students.

As a final note, if you are self-employed, health insurance premiums are often a deductible business expense.

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