Self-Employed Health Care Insurance Choices

Even owners of very small businesses have several choices when it comes to medical care coverage. They can find coverage on their own through the non-group market. They may be able to get coverage as a one-man or one-woman group. They may be able to get coverage through their spouse's employer-sponsored policy.

Considering your choices with each type of coverage can mean that you get lower rates for the same coverage.

You will probably find many health care insurance carriers in your state that sell medical insurance contracts directly to consumers. Often the rates you can get as an individual will be the significantly lower than the prices you got when you had group insurance.

Many of the same health insurance carriers that insure large corporations will also allow individuals to purchase medical insurance from them directly. They will often have both group and private medical insurance policies. Although, there are plenty of reputable companies that offer non-group health care insurance but not group health insurance, this can help you shop with confidence.

Often these medical insurance companies will have better networks of physicians. Sometimes the networks for their group medical insurance policies and their private medical insurance policies will be the same. But one shouldn't assume that just because a doctor is part of the group insurance network that he or she is a part of the individual insurance network.

Individual or family healthcare insurance policies will typically only be available to those who are healthy. This is why they are often less expensive than group insurance policies. If you are in poor healthcare you may be charged more than the standard rates. You may find that an individual or family policy is not available to you at all. Fortunately, If you do not qualify for an individual policy you may qualify for a group insurance policy.

In many areas one man or woman group health insurance policies are available. These policies are often available without any medical questions so even if you have been denied a non-group policy, you may still qualify.

If you are married or have a domestic partner, you may be able to get medical coverage through his or her employer-sponsored health policy. You may be able to be added on to the policy without any medical questions during its annual enrollment period. Certain events such as marriage may allow a dependent to be added to a group policy as if it is in the annual enrollment period.

This is often the best option because the cost may be subsidized by the job However, many employers no longer subsidize the premiums of their employee's dependents. They may or may not even subsidize their employees' share of the premiums.

Medical insurance isn't the only important insurance type. When considering your coverage alternatives be sure to also look at disability insurance and life insurance also. You should also make sure that you have a retirement plan in place. Many self-employed people overlook other insurance types and hurt themselves and their families.

More likely than not health coverage is available to you as a entrepreneur. There are probably several healthcare insurance carriers who will sell directly to you as an individual or who will offer you a one-man or one-woman group insurance policy. You may also find that you can be added your spouse or domestic partner's group coverage plan.


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