Health Insurance

We joined a local chamber of commerce and bought through them. You may want to compare prices with the freelancers union. It is still horrifically expensive, but much better than going on your own. Also, check if you qualify for state sponsored programs which are based on income. Good luck!

Insurance is always so expensive! My husband and I own our own business and through that we have insurance - I think a little over 1000/mo for me, him, and the baby.

For you - if you or your husband has any employees - you can get small business insurance coverage that you could enroll the spouse with. If you do everything on a W-9 and don't issue payroll - it probably is best to do it through the Chamber of Commerce - but check it out - many of those insurances aren't worth it! Your children may qualify under Child Health Plus - so check that out and it may save some money.

If one of you wants to do business and issue payroll - and the other does the books - or something like that on payroll - that would essentially indicate 2 employees for which you would be qualified for insurance as a small business. If that didn't make sense and you want it clarified - email me! Good luck trying not to break the bank!

Trust me, I know everything is crazy expensive. My husband is self employed and I am currently working only 1 day a week. We pay for our health insurance out of pocket and we had a tough time choosing a plan. We wanted something that had pretty good coverage, maybe not the best but also not the worst. We went with HIP and its good. I like it because with the one plan we have we do not need a referal. For our pcp it is $20 copay, and any other doctor is $30. Our monthy payment is expensive for the three of us, but we have to have insurance. Good Luck

We also did the Child Health Plus/Healthy NY program. We didn't qualify as a family for Family Health Plus but did get the kids covered under Child Health Plus. They usually have agencies that will help you with the application process and figure out if you qualify for as a family or just the kids. Contact your County Health Department.
Good Luck!

Hi E.,

I too am self-employed and my husband does not have insurance through his job. Last year we purchased insurance through the local Chamber of Commerce, however, that too was pretty costly. So, this year we looked into some other options and decided to go with Samaritan Ministries which is a Christian Health Share Ministry...basically we send an allocated amount every month to an individual or family that has a need that month (each month is someone different based on who has submitted a request to Samaritan Ministries). Then when you have a need that is "covered", others in the ministry send you the amount to cover your need by sending their monthly share to you. There are a number of stipulations that you would want to check out before making a decision to go with Samaritan Ministries, but it may be something to look into. Samaritan Ministries is not health insurance, however it is a great alternative if you are a Christian and if you have faith enough to technically be "uninsured" but have the support of Christians internationally for your health care needs. If you would like to get more information on this, let me know and I would be happy to pass on any information I have.

Blessings,
C.

Watch now insurance is call discount coverage its not full
medical coverage. They seen cheap but not cover everything
and copays too or hospital stays tricky. Good luck I am
shopping for a new plan also my premiuns are out of control.

Hi. There is a plan for New Yorkers only called Healthy NY. It's a program basically contracted with major insurance companies like (BCBS, GHI, Aetna, Cigna etc...) and you pay a premium every month. The cost for a family is like less than the cost of Cobra for one person I think. It's a decent plan though. I was on it a couple years ago when I first found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I had just started a new job and I wasn't going to have my insurance from work for another 3 months. Here's the website:

http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hny.htm

If for any reason that does not come up, you can just type in www.healthyny.com and it will come up. Good luck with everything. Just don't forget you have to be a New York resident.

Hi E.,

I was in the same postion but ended up also as an Independent Specialist for the company, the plans are so wonderful saving me money and giving me piece of mind. I work with our Nations #1 Discount Health Benefits company. Ameriplan. We were recently reviewed in an article in Parent magazine http://www.parents.com/family-life/work-money-politics/fa... We offer affordable Dental and Medical Benefits that can save you up to 80%. Our plans start at $19.95 a month to $59.95 per month pre existing issues included. I invite you to check out information for yourself without any pushy sales. www.everyonebenefits.com/rredline
You can also call me toll free at 888-215-6022 or email me at ____@____.com for more information or a brochure.

I do hope you find what works for you whatever it may be.

God bless,
R.

Hi E.. My husband and I are also self employed. WE are very healthy and chose the best insurance at first but since we had never used it we pretty much dropped to a very basic insurance, since we rarely go to the drs. I have a wonderful agent that can help you out we pay under $700 for a family of four, including a 1 year old and 5 year old. high deductibles though for the one we chose, but you can work it however you want. His Name is Steve Kamins he is in westfield but you can do it all through the mail. ####-###-####. We used him for 8?? years.
good luck
Patti

Hi E....

Have you ever heard of the Freelancers Union. Its a minimal cost to join their insurance programs (they have all kinds including health) and there are other savings as well. In fact I saved 10% on my daughters camp this year...Over $200 ! If you want to check them out go to freelancersunion.com and all the information is there.

Good luck.
C.

I live in a resort community with a lot of small businesses. Our local chamber of commerce has banded together for its members to offer health insurance through them as long as you pay your membership dues. I'm not sure if that's available in your area, but I would check with your local chamber.

Hi E.,

My name is S..
I know you wrote this email quite sometime ago, but I wanted to reach out to you.. I am a direct sales agent with Atlantic Health Plan. We are the most affordable option for Major Medical coverge and have many plans availble.
If you found Insurance and are either unhappy and/or looking to lower your costs, PLEASE feel free to give me a call.

thanks,

S.
###-###-####

I just got Freelancer's Union insurance (live in Upstate N.Y. and edit/write and teach courses in a SUNY community college). The college actually qualified me the most, as the freelancing is not as full time. I found their prices more reasonable than the small group insurance I had. You do need two months plus a hefty fee up front, but so far, after almost two months, I'm pretty happy. Of course, I'm single (mother of 4 grown sons).

Oh, and I forgot. Anyone who lives in New York can join the Ithaca Health Alliance, which covers from the first penny, things like stitches, broken bones, ambulance trips, etc. It's only around $175 a year for a couple and $50 extra for each child. It's a great cooperative thing that comes handy for certain issues. Every year the things covered expand. See http://www.ithacahealth.org/

J.

I am going to warn you...this is going to sound like I am trying to get you to be a travel agent with YTB but I am not. Should you decide to join, it is up to you. I just wanted to share with you how they helped me with our medical insurance issues. My husband and I were paying over $900 a month thru a COBRA I had with my job. To make a long story short, I joined YTB Travel Network and became a travel agent (I had no experience). As long as you are active with them, you can get group health insurance with them and we only pay $274 a month for our whole family! After you reach a certain level with the company, they then GIVE you PAID FOR PPO no questions asked medical and life insurance. I have saved ALOT of money with our travel being a travel agent and the medical insurance was just a plus. Let me know if you would like to see a brochure on the insurance. It is through Standard Security Life. OH, There is also a discount prescription and dental program with them as well. Anyway, to learn about the YTB biz and see if you want to go that route just go to http://www.way2go.biz . Good luck! N. http://www.mytravelmuscle.com