Health Insurance - How to Find Coverage When You're Self-Employed

Finding your own health insurance when you're self-
employed can be a huge challenge. Finding the right plan at
the right price can take some time. And, of course, in that
research time, you run the risk of serious illness or
injury. If that misfortune occurs, you will have a pre-
existing condition, which will severely limit your ability
in finding coverage that's affordable, or anything at all!

Following the plan I've outlined below will help you to
find the right coverage for you and your family, in a
relatively short period of time.

Start your research online, because you can get a lot of
information quickly. You will find hundreds of different
sites with free quotes and multiple options for your health
insurance plan. There is a lot of competition in insurance,
so the websites are set up to attract you from the start by
being easy to use. Use any of the major search engines to
find these sites, starting by entering 'e-health insurance'
or 'self-employed insurance.'

Go to several of the sites to get free quotes at those
that offer this service. It's simple to just enter your zip
code, age, etc., and you will get quotes from 1 to 4
companies in just a few minutes. Then you can compare the
plans and see the advantages in coverage and price for each
plan. Your main goal is just to get information, but go
ahead and apply if you find a plan that is perfect for you.

Once you have finished your online research, call or go to
local and regional insurance providers. With your online
research, you will have a knowledge base to evaluate the
deals the local provider offers you. In person, the company
might offer better deals than what you found online, or
they might be similar or worse. Your online research will
give you the background you need to evaluate what you're
offered in person.

Be sure, too, to talk with people you know; ask what
insurance they have and whether they buy it individually or
are enrolled in a group plan. Your family, friends and
neighbors can tell you about the advantages and
disadvantages of working with specific companies.

You've gotten good information about plans, coverage and
prices through your research, but the information on
customer service can only come from your contacts. They can
tell you about the reality of working with specific
companies.

One cost-cutting measure to consider is to exclude
prescription and dental coverage. You might want to choose
a plan that excludes those, and instead put the money you
would have spent for that special insurance coverage into a
savings account. You can use those funds to pay for dental
costs and prescriptions, rather than paying the insurance
fees.

Once you complete your research, you will be shocked at
the cost. Yet, you will know that you have found the best
possible coverage for you.