Heallth insurance for the self employed?

I need dental and health insurance for an affordable price. I am unmarried.... what can I do? who offers it? how much will it cost?

As a self employed individual, you should do some reading on Health Savings Account qualified plans - I have posted an article I wrote earlier this year titled - The five reasons why the Nevada self-employed should look at HSA qualified plans in 2007

HSA Qualified Health Plans work by coupling a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (Q-HDHP) with a Tax Advantaged Health Savings Account. The funds deposited to the HSA can be utilized to pay for Qualified Medical Expenses on a tax-free basis and balances roll over from year to year. The minimum Q-HDHP deductibles are $1,100 for single and $2,200 for family coverage. When coupled with 100% co-insurance plans they can significantly reduce the annual maximum out of pocket cash when compared with traditional Co-pay plans. This is especially true when discussing family plans where there may be deductibles for each family member. The Q-HDHP plans utilize family deductibles where one or multiple family members' medical costs go toward a single deductible.

Reason One - Q-HDHP's can reduce the insured's total liability when it comes to maximum out of pocket expenses. One of the more popular $500 deductible Nevada plans has an annual maximum out of pocket of $3,500 - for a family on this plan; the maximum out of pocket is $7,500. In addition, once the maximum annual out of pocket is reached, the insured still pays co-pays for physician's office visits and prescription drugs. With a Q-HDHP, the more popular "single deductible" plans can offer maximum out of pockets as low as $1,100 for individuals and $2,200 for families. In addition, once the deductible is satisfied, all covered expenses are paid by the plan; including prescription drugs.

Reason Two - For the self-employed; health insurance premiums are 100% tax deductible. However, in order to deduct your qualified medical expenses they have to exceed 7.5% of the insured is Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Because the funds deposited into the HSA are 100% tax deductible, the insured now gets first dollar tax deductibility of their qualified medical expenses. In addition to routine medical care, some examples of Qualified Medical Expenses are; Dental treatments, Eyeglasses, Fertility enhancement, Lodging, COBRA Payments and LASIK Eye Surgery to name a few.

Reason Three - In 2006, the insured was required to have a Q-HDHP for a full year in order to fully fund an HSA. Thanks to the 109th Congress and President Bush, this is no longer a restriction. In 2007, a single person can now contribute up to $2,850 and a family can contribute up to $5,650, regardless of the deductible selected or when the insured obtains the Q-HDHP. Individuals who are 55 and older can make additional catch-up contributions of $800 to their HSA in 2007.

Reason Four - Nevada has over 120,000 self-employed individuals. The first few years of being self-employed are the most difficult when it comes to cash flow. The IRS is now allowing a one time "penalty free" funding of Health Savings Accounts by rolling funds from an IRA into an HSA. In order to avoid penalties, this must be a trustee-to-trustee transaction. This can free up as much as $470 in monthly cash flow for a family in their mid forties with two teenage children.

Reason Five - Many local banking institutions are now offering Health Savings Accounts. This makes it easier than ever for the self-employed to manage their Nevada Health Savings Account related finances. No longer does the insured have to use an HSA trustee that is located outside of the state of Nevada; making it painless to deposit and access funds that are necessary to pay for Qualified Medical Expenses.

As an insurance agent in Texas, I would agree that you need to check with your individual state. However, some major carriers are in most if not all states. The internet is a beautiful tool. My company does not offer health or dental to folks not on Medicare, therefore I could not write my own policy. I did a search on Yahoo as a matter of fact, and found my own coverage. I pay 105 a month as a 30 year old male. I have a high deductible, HSA compatible policy, that pays 100% of any and all charges with no life maximum. I found it online. Do a search on Yahoo or any other search engine and find something that can fit into your budget.

You might want to try and bookmark this site for research information on health insurance. news, articles and more. It may have the resources to help you with your question.

http://www.healthinsurance-guide.net/

Many states do have plans for the self-employed but the benefits are very limited. You can get on a regular individual plan unless you are uninsurable. Visit a local independent agent. This person knows the market in your area and can find a policy to fit your situation and they won't charge you for the service.

Be wary of plans that offer "affordable health insurance for the self-employed". These plans have very limited benefits and may end up costing you more than it's worth.

Also be wary of medical discount scams. The people that sell these plans have little or no knowledge of health insurance and don't have to be licensed. The companies are not registered with the state so you have little recourse when things go wrong. States are starting to ban these plans from being sold, mainly because very few doctors accept them.

Thereâ€™s a new company offering low cost individual health plans in Texas for young, reasonably healthy people, and is a great health insurance solution for self-employed persona who arenâ€™t covered by a group plan. You buy into a plan at a super low cost with fixed benefits that will cover the typical activities of a healthy person. Then, if something catastrophic happens, you have the option to get additional levels of coverage, even AFTER the event. A 25-year-old (and under) healthy male would pay under $100 a month for basic coverage. Even if youâ€™re not in Texas, theyâ€™ll be offering plans in additional states soon. Plus, theyâ€™re backed by a traditional insurance company thatâ€™s been around for over 70 years, so even though theyâ€™re new on the scene, they have a solid reputation behind them. Check it out: http://www.precedent.com - Good luck!

There may be a number of resources you could tap into. But it's hard to say which might be best because your question contains only a very limited amount of information (i.e., you're unmarried and self-employed). Take a look at the resources described on the webpage listed below. It may give you some leads you could follow. Good luck.

Your best bet would be to contact your state. Many states offer affordable health insurance programs and are designed for self-employed persons.

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