Getting Health Insurance If You're Self Employed
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.