I'm going out on my own as an independent provider of services to people with disabilities, which I'm very excited about.

This means that, for the first time, I will have to purchase my own health insurance. I have a pre-existing condition, which may or may not make it harder.

Do any of you have any advice, recommendations, or stay-away-from-this-company warnings?

Thanks in advance.

I don't know if this would be applicable to you, but there is a national organization called the Freelancers Union and if you become a member (which is free), you can get insurance through them. It's better than going it one your own because you get the benefits of a group plan at lower prices. I'm not sure what the employment stipulations are though (e.g. independent contractor or art career requirements).


Congrats on doing your own thing!

Wow, thank you so much for that link.

"Freelancers Union is working to promote fairness for independent workers. We carry out unprecedented research on the independent workforce, then we educate policy makers on our group’s needs and lobby for change. Our social system is outdated, but we’ve proven that positive change is achievable. The problem is simply that there hasn’t been a movement to represent the needs of independent workers. Freelancers Union is that movement."

jone70 said:

This is awesome! I've looked into their site, and not only am I inspired to join, it looks like one of the companies they've negotiated affordable rates with offers health coverage in my area!



EDIT: They only offer dental insurance in FL. Oops.
[Edited 2/16/10 17:51pm]

You're welcome. I signed up to be a member several months ago as I was considering getting insurance through them. (I didn't end up doing that.) They also offer classes and discounts on certain business-y things. For example, in New York City, members can get reduced rates for Mint and Zipcar memberships. I have to admit, I haven't really taken advantage of the things they offer. I don't know how active they are in other areas, but in New York I see their ads on a lot of subways (which is how I found out about the health insurance thing).

If you are considering starting your own business (and I think I read a thread that Chris is getting back into the photography biz) you may want to look into contacting a pro bono legal services organization to help set up a non-profit or LLC. (Or at least make sure your legal/contract stuff is in order. I just did a little Googling and it looks like there is one in Miami: http://www.legalartmiami...._page.html . Or you could contact the Florida State Bar Association and ask them if they can refer you somewhere.

PunkMistress said:

Really? That seems weird that they would have dental but not medical. Damn! But are there other companies besides that one that offer health in FL or there are no health care plans at all for your area of FL?

I feel like there was another org I was researching for health insurance, but I can't remember the name. It may have been just for NY State, anyway. If I think of it, I'll orgnote you. (I am very good friends with someone who is self-employed with a pre-existing condition, who does not have health insurance so I am constantly on the look out for something affordable for them.)


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[Edited 2/16/10 17:57pm]

jone70 said:

Thanks so much.

Both our businesses are incorporated and we have legal counsel.
I will definitely check out pro bono counsel, though. Free is my favorite kind of thing.

jone70 said:

Fantastic. It'd be so appreciated.

congrats on your business hun , as for med care I am not in the US so not sure I can help.

Right now I am checking out Humana One and they seem very reasonable, health and dental for a fraction of what I used to pay BCBS out of pocket for just medical. Aetna was very shady when it came to paying out sometimes so I won't be looking into them.

perhaps you could package a health plan with any liability insurance you're going to be taking out to protect yourself..?

If you have a preexisting condition, it will likely make your premiums a bit higher. I am a small business owner as well, and my business partner and I (we are the two owners and the only employees) just recently let our company start paying for our health insurance. Before, we each had individual health plans, which were expensive if you choose anything other than a catastrophic policy. We now have group insurance through Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS). It is a little more expensive than a so-so individual policy, but the benefits are much much better. For instance, my individual policy for me, wife, and 2 kids (each under 6) was about $750/month with a $7,500 deductible for the whole family. With the group policy, our premium (paid by the company) is about $850/month, but deductible is $3,000 for the whole family. I just recently had a $50,000 surgery (2 months after I started the group policy!), so I only paid $3,000 and I don't pay anymore med bills until October, when the group policy started. I think you have to have a minimum of two employees for a group policy. A major plus for the group policy is that none of the insureds can be turned down based on preexisting conditions.

I have had BCBS several times, and they have always been really good. They are sometimes a little more expensive, but like with anything, you get what you pay for.

Oh, by the way, most of the dental plans that come with individual or small group policies aren't worth the money you pay for them (they are usually an add-on) unless you have major dental work done.