When you quit your job as an employee, you left behind being told when you could and couldn\u2019t work. You left those limiting paychecks at the door, and you left being told what to do, too.<\/p>\n
You also left your work-sponsored health insurance, and you\u2019re kind of regretting that part.<\/p>\n
No fear, though! You might be surprised at how simple it is to get self-employed or freelancer health insurance.<\/p>\n
The key is knowing your options and deciding which one is best for your personal situation.<\/p>\n
This short guide goes over the multiple types of insurance available and how to get it. You can<\/em> leave the drudgery of working for someone else behind and still have your health taken care of at the same time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Does your spouse have a family policy they can add you onto? That\u2019s often the quickest and easiest way to get health insurance.<\/p>\n If not, check out the Healthcare Marketplace<\/a>. It\u2019s an organization set up per the terms of the Affordable Healthcare Act back during the Obama Administration. The intent is to get everyone reputable health insurance, regardless of their previous medical history.<\/p>\n The Marketplace uses your tax returns to determine how much of a discount you get on your insurance premium when you sign up. Depending on your income, yours could range from free to hundreds of dollars a month.<\/p>\n To find the right coverage for you, you\u2019ll be asked questions about your current primary physician and any medications you take regularly. The site uses that info to find you insurance that matches those two important factors.<\/p>\n From there, you\u2019ll see the copay, deductible, and monthly premium. Choose the one that fits your budget and your medical needs.<\/p>\n One thing to note about working with the Healthcare Marketplace is that it\u2019s time-sensitive. Unless you had a major life-changing event (changing jobs is one of them), you\u2019ll have to wait until Open Enrollment in October to get coverage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With millions of freelancers in the gig economy, it\u2019s a guarantee that you\u2019re not alone in your need for insurance. Because it\u2019s such an in-demand issue, many freelancer groups<\/a> can help.<\/p>\n Look for groups that merge multiple freelance and self-employed categories into one membership. For instance, you can find a platform that often offers insurance and other discounted services that freelancers use.<\/p>\n When the platform has enough members, it can partner with major companies to get everyone inexpensive premiums.<\/p>\n This could be with indemnity insurance that uses a fee-for-service coverage plan. Or, it might be supplemental coverage that only kicks in if you\u2019re diagnosed with the qualifying conditions.<\/p>\n A well-known example of this is AFLAC. You pay a premium for something like a broken bone or cancer with these policies. If you end up with that specific medical condition, the company pays you a lump sum to help with your expenses.<\/p>\n Whichever type of coverage you prefer, a freelancer group out there can get you insurance protection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019ve likely heard of an HSA but might not be too familiar with the term. Short for health savings accounts, HSA refers to money set aside specifically for healthcare use.<\/p>\n It works similarly to a savings account. You contribute money to the fund, and it\u2019s there to cover your medical bills when you need it.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t go to the doctor too often, this is a smart way to save money. Instead of putting hundreds of dollars each month toward a premium you may never use, you sock that money into your HSA.<\/p>\n1. Private Insurance<\/h2>\n
2. Freelancers\u2019 Groups<\/h2>\n
3. Health Savings Accounts<\/h2>\n