One of the more terrifying realities about the prospect of starting your own business in the US is that you quickly learn you are on your own when it comes to finding affordable healthcare.
-
One of the more terrifying realities about the prospect of starting your own business in the US is that you quickly learn you are on your own when it comes to finding affordable healthcare. You might even make enough that you don't qualify for any plan that doesn't cost <$30k a year, w/ high deductibles.
I know I've mentioned this before here, but it bears repeating because it came up in a conversation the other day where the small biz owner had no idea. Namely, that depending on where you live, you may qualify for a fairly inexpensive and decent healthcare plan for you and your family just by taking a class at a local university or community college. NB: It may only require a non-degree (non-credit) course. Anyway, something to investigate if you're looking for a way to reduce your healthcare costs.
Edit: Meant to mention that a lot of universities will allow you to take the classes remotely online.
also look for group benefits packages for freelancers
I'm in Canada so won't be of much use to people in the US, but similar story up here. I managed to find a group plan that has 8000+ members who are mainly companies of 1-10 people in size, but really comprehensive offerings.
-
One of the more terrifying realities about the prospect of starting your own business in the US is that you quickly learn you are on your own when it comes to finding affordable healthcare. You might even make enough that you don't qualify for any plan that doesn't cost <$30k a year, w/ high deductibles.
I know I've mentioned this before here, but it bears repeating because it came up in a conversation the other day where the small biz owner had no idea. Namely, that depending on where you live, you may qualify for a fairly inexpensive and decent healthcare plan for you and your family just by taking a class at a local university or community college. NB: It may only require a non-degree (non-credit) course. Anyway, something to investigate if you're looking for a way to reduce your healthcare costs.
Edit: Meant to mention that a lot of universities will allow you to take the classes remotely online.
@briankrebs This is the basic problem with the US health insurance industry. The government wants everyone to treat it like a free market product where companies will compete for customers and keep prices under control. But health care is not a typical free market product. You can't wait until broken legs go on sale to get your leg fixed. You can't get accurate pricing information on procedures and medications, and even when you can, your insurance company might not allow you to go to the cheaper facility.
Medicare basically controls what the private insurance carriers will cover and what they will pay for those procedures anyway so the idea that there will ever be true competition is silly.
-
One of the more terrifying realities about the prospect of starting your own business in the US is that you quickly learn you are on your own when it comes to finding affordable healthcare. You might even make enough that you don't qualify for any plan that doesn't cost <$30k a year, w/ high deductibles.
I know I've mentioned this before here, but it bears repeating because it came up in a conversation the other day where the small biz owner had no idea. Namely, that depending on where you live, you may qualify for a fairly inexpensive and decent healthcare plan for you and your family just by taking a class at a local university or community college. NB: It may only require a non-degree (non-credit) course. Anyway, something to investigate if you're looking for a way to reduce your healthcare costs.
Edit: Meant to mention that a lot of universities will allow you to take the classes remotely online.
What does "inexpensive" mean in the context of US health care plans?
In Austria, students can get health insurance for € 80 per month. -
I'm in the same boat as an early retiree. I found a Carefirst BC/BS gold plan for $600-700/mo via the Virginia marketplace. I've been reasonably happy with their coverage so far, although I haven't had any significant or exotic needs. From everything I've heard, an ACA plan is almost always going to be cheaper than a COBRA plan.
-
One of the more terrifying realities about the prospect of starting your own business in the US is that you quickly learn you are on your own when it comes to finding affordable healthcare. You might even make enough that you don't qualify for any plan that doesn't cost <$30k a year, w/ high deductibles.
I know I've mentioned this before here, but it bears repeating because it came up in a conversation the other day where the small biz owner had no idea. Namely, that depending on where you live, you may qualify for a fairly inexpensive and decent healthcare plan for you and your family just by taking a class at a local university or community college. NB: It may only require a non-degree (non-credit) course. Anyway, something to investigate if you're looking for a way to reduce your healthcare costs.
Edit: Meant to mention that a lot of universities will allow you to take the classes remotely online.
@briankrebs pre-ACA becoming eligible for group plans could also be a reason to join organizations like ACM or IEEE.
Small business startups may also depend a lot on one spouse keeping a corporate job just for the insurance.
I'm amazed that companies haven't pushed harder for nationalized healthcare or Medicare for All just as a competitive thing to reduce their costs.
-
One of the more terrifying realities about the prospect of starting your own business in the US is that you quickly learn you are on your own when it comes to finding affordable healthcare. You might even make enough that you don't qualify for any plan that doesn't cost <$30k a year, w/ high deductibles.
I know I've mentioned this before here, but it bears repeating because it came up in a conversation the other day where the small biz owner had no idea. Namely, that depending on where you live, you may qualify for a fairly inexpensive and decent healthcare plan for you and your family just by taking a class at a local university or community college. NB: It may only require a non-degree (non-credit) course. Anyway, something to investigate if you're looking for a way to reduce your healthcare costs.
Edit: Meant to mention that a lot of universities will allow you to take the classes remotely online.
@briankrebs phobos turned 10 yesterday. i know exactly these feels
-
@briankrebs phobos turned 10 yesterday. i know exactly these feels
@Viss @briankrebs Wow, congratulations!
-
One of the more terrifying realities about the prospect of starting your own business in the US is that you quickly learn you are on your own when it comes to finding affordable healthcare. You might even make enough that you don't qualify for any plan that doesn't cost <$30k a year, w/ high deductibles.
I know I've mentioned this before here, but it bears repeating because it came up in a conversation the other day where the small biz owner had no idea. Namely, that depending on where you live, you may qualify for a fairly inexpensive and decent healthcare plan for you and your family just by taking a class at a local university or community college. NB: It may only require a non-degree (non-credit) course. Anyway, something to investigate if you're looking for a way to reduce your healthcare costs.
Edit: Meant to mention that a lot of universities will allow you to take the classes remotely online.
@briankrebs are these plans with the universities? Or some other kind of plan that you qualify for because you’re a student?
-
@briankrebs are these plans with the universities? Or some other kind of plan that you qualify for because you’re a student?
@lkanies Yes. Some state schools will provide healthcare coverage for students, including those just taking classes and not pursuing a degree. You basically get insurance under a group health plan run by the school.
-
@Viss @briankrebs Wow, congratulations!
@Sempf @briankrebs thanks! now if only broadcasting that around scored me more gigs
-
@briankrebs phobos turned 10 yesterday. i know exactly these feels
@Viss @briankrebs Happy birthday Phobos! LockEx turns 10 this month too!
-
@Viss @briankrebs Happy birthday Phobos! LockEx turns 10 this month too!
@LockEx @briankrebs congrats!
-
@lkanies Yes. Some state schools will provide healthcare coverage for students, including those just taking classes and not pursuing a degree. You basically get insurance under a group health plan run by the school.
@briankrebs cool, thanks
-
R relay@relay.an.exchange shared this topic
