Affordable Health Insurance for Self-Employed Individuals

Affordable health insurance is on the verge of becoming extinct in America.

Self employed individuals attempting to get coverage for a spouse and children can expect to pay as much as $1,000 per month* for coverage that includes the ability to choose a physician or a medical facility, and covers such basics as dental and vision care.

Employed persons often have some benefits covered, but companies are more frequently passing on their rising costs to employees.

Limited Health Insurance is BetterThan None

Limited health insurance is still better than none - even with its limitations of choice and restricted coverage (not everything is covered!). In fact, medical bills are cited as a reason for one of two personal bankruptcy filings.

Most barriers to care relate to a lack of insurance, a lack of money, or both. Other barriers could include: Long waits, parking, language, cultural differences, special needs of people with disabilities, and bureaucratic red tape.

Ultimately, the health of the whole community is compromised when people can't afford to get their illnesses treated. Many in our society, including providers, insurers, businesses, consumers and the uninsured themselves, share the costs of caring for the uninsured.

Employed No Longer Free of Concern

Even those employed by big companies are no longer free of concern. With health care costs rising, companies really are being forced to make choices between the number of employees they can keep and the level of health insurance they
can offer.

To be able to offer insurance, many companies are passing the increasing costs on to their employees.

The result: Approximately 20 percent* of uninsured Americans have access to employer-sponsored coverage, but they still cannot afford it.

*The Uninsured: A Primer - Key Facts about Americans Without Health Insurance, January 2006

A Good Solution Requires Planning

This is a case where the solution requires planning. Health insurance needs to become a top line budget item for Americans, along with food, shelter and clothing - and make no mistake, that is not presently the case.

The days of near-free health insurance in the United States are coming to an end, even for those with "good jobs" at "good companies."

Getting expert health insurance guidance, and regularly comparing your current plan to other plans that may be available, is becoming essential for the employed, the self-employed, and the unemployed.

Those who are well informed and understand the changing nature of this industry will remain ahead of the curve.

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