WHATS NEW Jan 07, 2010
Saving on your health insurance. Health insurance can turn out quite costly if you don't know the rules of the game... more Dec 30, 2009
Will it cover my clinical trial? Clinical trials and examinations can turn out to be quite costly for many... more Dec 26, 2009
Searching for self-employed health insurance. Those who are self-employed sometimes have a hard time finding good health insurance quotes for proper coverage... more

Don't change your Health Insurance just yet To make sure you have good coverage after leaving employment, it is advisable to keep the Health Insurance you have by invoking COBRA. It is your right to keep the same policy under provisions in the 1986 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). COBRA allows you to keep your current coverage for up to 18 months at group rates, after you leave your job. This only applies if the company employs 20 or more people and you weren't dismissed for gross negligence or incompetence. Check with the US Department of Labor for more information about COBRA. Even with COBRA, the cost is likely to be expensive because, once self-employed, you'll have to pay the full coverage cost yourself. Employees only tend to pay around 28% of their insurance costs according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Consider changing your policy before leaving work If you are in control of the time when you will leave your job, it might be worth signing up for the least costly health insurance plan available in advance. That way, the cost when you leave will be lower under COBRA. Keep track of time Once your COBRA coverage finishes, you will have a 63 day health insurance guarantee. So be sure to start collecting health insurance quotes and arrange a new policy within this time-frame, otherwise your application could be rejected or a pre-existing condition could be inserted into your new policy for up to 12 months. Marry a worker As a self-employed person, it is likely that joining your spouse's health insurance plan will cost less than other options, including COBRA. The old adage that the best way for a self-employed person to ensure success if to marry a worker and that holds true when it comes to health insurance. Research Internet search button is a great resource for self-employed health insurance. It is recommended by Money magazine, Kiplinger, the National Federation of Independent Business and financial guru Suze Orman, amongst other experts. You can obtain many health insurance quotes and choose the best plan available in your area. This resource contains plenty of information including information about the issuance companies' financial situation. Understand and follow the rules that apply to your situation. If you or a family member suffer from chronic health problems or a pre-existing condition, this is particularly important. Use a Respectable Health Insurance Agent If you prefer to deal with an agent, make sure you find a good one. Interview as many as possible, compare the self-employed health insurance quotes they offer and build a little knowledge so you can confident you select the best coverage. It is wise to check with your state insurance commissioner's office for any complaints that may have been filed against insurers or their agents. Check with the National Association of Health Underwriters for help with finding a reputable agent. Consider a High Deductible and HSA Self-employed health insurance premiums can be reduced by combining a plan with a high deductible with a tax-free HSA (Health Savings Account). By depositing pre-tax dollars into your Health Saving Account, you can use that money to pay non-reimbursable medical expenses. Use a Professional Employers Association If your business grows large enough to start hiring employees, it may be possible to save money with business health insurance through a professional employers association. These provide health insurance and other services to small businesses. For more information about finding a group that can meet your requirements, consult the National Association of Professional Employer Associations. Read further Last Added Articles:
Saving on your health insurance Will it cover my clinical trial? Searching for self-employed health insurance