The ins and outs of Health Insurance when You’re Self Employed
Posted by ariefAug 8
Looking into health insurance, especially for those who are self employed, can be a daunting task. Without the help of company programs that pay part of your insurance, it can be a more expensive, and even frustrating to get health insurance. There are some basics to understand, however, before you buy.
First of all, look online. There are plenty of Web sites that can help you compare different health insurance plans. Some sites even rate the plans. You should carefully look at what each plan has to offer before signing up. The cheapest plan may not always be the best. It may have a much higher deductible or it may not cover the doctor you already see. Get an idea of what is out there, and then decide based on what is best for your situation.
Health insurance for the self employed comes with its own phraseology which you need to understand so that you can know the benefits of each plan before you choose one.
HMO. This is a common phrase that is heard quite often. An HMO is a managed care plan. This does often cost a little bit less than a PPO (more about that next), but they are often more restrictive. Additionally, they are rated lower by most insurance ratings. Most HMOs require that you have a primary care provider and then require that you are referred to specialists by the provider.
An alternative you could use, PPO, is not as restrictive. It allows you to consult any doctor on its considerably large panel throughout its network. This is especially helpful if you are taken ill while abroad. And it offers the option, at an additional upfront fee, to consult any doctor you want to V even those not on the network. This is like an EPO, which differs in that it doesn’t include doctors away from its network to the self-employed.
Co-Pay. This is the money that is paid up front and usually ranges from $15 to $25. A variation on this is to pay 20% of the bill until you reach your deductible. Thereafter you pay nothing or a very nominal co-pay. Many plans have different co-pays depending on whether you make an office visit, an emergency room visit or are buying prescription drugs.
Deductible. This is the amount you pay from your own pocket. If you have a co-pay it does not count towards your deductible. Under a 20% plan, office visits count as part of your deductible. Health insurance is similar to auto insurance in that the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium.
Once you know what you are looking for, compare coverage. See if maternity is covered. Check to see if chiropractic visits and mental health care is covered. Read the plan benefits to make sure that all of the things you feel you might need are covered by the insurance plan you choose. No plan is ever perfect, but it is possible for you to find one that is close.
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About the author: Vlad Ehrsam is the chief writer at Full Info on Business, it’s one of the webs most up to date Business sites, their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too.
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