Health care reform is a slow process, and many things won’t change for years -- so, what are self-employed professionals supposed to do right now? Affordable health care and self-employment just don’t seem to go together, but there are options out there for professionals who have to be self-reliant.
Individual Policies
Professionals who earn their living through self-employment do not receive health insurance benefits from an employer. Often, this means the self-employed do not have the advantage of purchasing group policies at affordable rates. Instead, individual policies must be purchased -- often, at very high rates with high deductibles. Not only do self-employed professionals have to bear the burden of finding their own work and maintaining their own finances, they have to worry about their own expensive health care.
Individual policies are an option, but professionals must take the time to shop around and find the lowest possible deal for the best amount of coverage. Even with a lot of research, individual policies won’t offer the same coverage (at the same price) as group policies provided through employers.
Self Employment Health Insurance
Individual health insurance policies aren’t the only option for self-employed professionals. Through certain self-employment groups and employers, group policies are available for freelance workers and independent contractors. The National Association for the Self-Employed, a group dedicated to the self-employed, offers affordable group plans and health insurance options to make the burden of health care costs easier for independent professionals to bear.
A rare few employers of self-employed workers provide insurance options for the independent contractors; Demand Studios is one example.
Affordable Health Care Options
The cost of health care is a growing concern for many types of workers, not just those who are self-employed. All aspects of health care, not just the insurance itself, are very expensive. Search for other options that make health care more affordable. Look for local clinics that provide health care at reduced rates, take advantage of affordable local wellness programs that focus on preventative health care, and open a health savings account and put money away to lessen the burden of paying for health care costs when and if they arise.
Affordable health care isn’t just about finding health insurance; it’s about searching for other options and taking advantage of programs that are in place to help those who don’t have as many options as others. It’s advantageous to do the research and explore all the possibilities, even for those who are relatively healthy are have few health concerns.
KC Morgan - KC Morgan has been the featured writer in Self-Employment since 2006, using personal experience to create guides to being self-employed.
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