Getting health insurance in the US for freelancers
maryblack Spain Local time: 14:24 Spanish to English + ...
Nov 17, 2010
Dear fellow US translators,
I have just moved back to the US from Spain, which has a wonderful public healthcare system. Here I have no US health insurance policy, which is worrisome for both myself and my family. Is anyone aware of any professional organizations worth joining which also offer group health insurance rates that are somewhat reasonable? For now I'm covered under a travellers' insurance plan from Spain, but this will expire next spring so I need to find an insurer in this country, plus I'm sure there are other benefits to belonging to a professional organization in the US.
Thanks a bunch!
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Katalin Horvath McClure United States Local time: 08:24 Member (2002) English to Hungarian + ...
Which state?
Nov 17, 2010
There are companies/agencies that provide group-insurance for freelancers and small businesses. They collect a bunch of people and then negotiate group rates for them with the actual health insurers.
If you specified your state, people may be able to help you more.
We used one in NY several years ago when both of us worked as sole proprietors.
However, if you are married and your spouse is employed with health benefits, you may get onto his insurance as a dependent - that is usually the cheapest solution.
Other than that, some states have their own state-sponsored health benefit system for low-income families without employer-provided insurance. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to look into that, too.
Katalin
[Edited at 2010-11-17 15:43 GMT]
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maryblack Spain Local time: 14:24 Spanish to English + ...
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not married, in Illinois
Nov 17, 2010
Thanks, Katalin.
I'm not married and so can't get insurance that way. How does one go about finding insurers who insure freelancers/small business owners?
Thanks!
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Rudolf Vedo CT United States Local time: 07:24 Member (2008) Croatian to English + ...
Get insured ASAP - individual policy or see an insurance agent
Nov 17, 2010
First, don't wait until your traveler's policy expires! It is very important that you get set up with a standard policy offering creditable (i.e., coverage that under US insurance regulations is regarded as not representing a gap in coverage, important for eligibility for various state high-risk pools and not being subject to pre-existing condition exclusions, etc.). For anything but a group policy you need to go through medical underwriting before a policy will be issued, and, at best, any disease you suffer before becoming properly insured will be a pre-existing condition, at worst you will denied insurance coverage completely. And you can pretty much be denied for anything and everything in your medical history. Personally, I would even avoid going for a wellness exam of any kind until you are insured because the insurance company will look at your records and history and use anything they can against you in the underwriting process, while nothing in your medical history will help, even if by all accounts (even your doctors'!) you appear the picture of health. I speak from experience on this...
My cynical interpretation of insurance companies' focus on wellness and prevention is not that they think it saves money or improves quality of life, but that the more they get you to go to the doctor and they more records the doctor generates for you, they more ammunition they have to deny you coverage at some later point should you ever go through medical underwriting. Do I sound bitter at my insurance company? Naw...
If you are healthy, an individual plan (which can also cover dependents if that's what you need) with a higher deductible, such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, is a cost-effective option. An independent insurance agent can help sort out the details and options too, as well as guide you through the underwriting process.
I'm not aware of any professional associations for translators that offer medical coverage, but perhaps colleagues can correct me.
In any case, please get insured as soon as you can!
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Rudolf Vedo CT United States Local time: 07:24 Member (2008) Croatian to English + ...
Most private insurers provide group plans
Nov 17, 2010
maryblack wrote:
Thanks, Katalin.
I'm not married and so can't get insurance that way. How does one go about finding insurers who insure freelancers/small business owners?
Thanks!
Most private insurers have group/business divisions that offer group plans for small business owners (i.e., a plan just for your business, not for a wide pool of different business owners). However, if you are young/healthy and should not present any underwriting issues, then an individual plan is probably cheaper (and, at least in the case of our BCBS plan, really not that expensive) since insurance companies often tack on surcharges for notional small "groups" of just one two people (such as a business owner and spouse employed in the business). Typically a group needs at least three people before it is worthwhile to go that route.
An experienced, independent insurance agent representing different companies can help you weigh the options, as well as advise on other insurance issues a business owner needs to be cognizant of (life, disability, business, etc.). Our agent is worth his weight in gold
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Katalin Horvath McClure United States Local time: 08:24 Member (2002) English to Hungarian + ...
Illinois health insurance
Nov 17, 2010
A simple Google search came up with many results, including these:
* AARP Insured By Aetna
* Aetna
* Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
* Celtic Ins. Co.
* Companion Life Insurance Company
* Group Health Plan
* Humana
* My Health Alliance
* Personal Care Insurance of Illinois
* UnitedHealthcare
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maryblack Spain Local time: 14:24 Spanish to English + ...
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Thanks a million!
Nov 17, 2010
Thanks a million, Rudolf and Katalin. Your advice helps me know where to start! Believe me, Rudolf, I am very uncomfortable being without insurance in a country with a healthcare system that seems to worry far more about money than about health!!
Mary
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Daina Jauntirans United States Local time: 07:24 Member (2005) German to English + ...
Also in Illinois
Nov 17, 2010
Hi Mary,
My family had privately purchased health insurance for several years while I was the sole (freelance) breadwinner. My kids and I are now on my husband's group plan. At the time, we chose Blue Cross Blue Shield and have never regretted it. That's what we have now, too, and it was a smooth transition from the private plan to the group plan. That said, we were healthy and had no pre-existing conditions when we applied. Also, it wasn't the greatest coverage (no dental or vision, no prescription coverage) & we paid a lot out of pocket on top of the premiums. Our premiums are still high, but our coverage is much better with the HMO now. Get a group plan if you can, but I would stick with a large, reputable company like BCBS to avoid problems with cancelled policies when you get sick, etc. (see the Chicago Tribune on this - as I recall, there were several articles about it in the last year). My sister-in-law was also quite happy with Humana. BTW, we are in the north suburbs of Chicago & our network is fantastic. Write me privately if you are in my area & I can let you know more about that. Good luck! This part of living in the US is no fun.
[Edited at 2010-11-17 17:57 GMT]
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maryblack Spain Local time: 14:24 Spanish to English + ...
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So Il
Nov 18, 2010
Hi Daina,
Thanks so much for your offer. Unfortunately, I'm way down south at the other end of the state - almost different worlds.
But everyone's advice was very useful - thanks to all three of you!!!
Mary
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Nicole Schnell United States Local time: 05:24 Member English to German + ...
Also - forget about pre-existing conditions and stuff
Nov 18, 2010
Our Prez did a terrific job and finally everyone has access to health insurance.
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Nicole Schnell United States Local time: 05:24 Member English to German + ...
A bit outdated, don't you think?
Nov 18, 2010
Rudolf Vedo CT wrote:
First, don't wait until your traveler's policy expires! It is very important that you get set up with a standard policy offering creditable (i.e., coverage that under US insurance regulations is regarded as not representing a gap in coverage, important for eligibility for various state high-risk pools and not being subject to pre-existing condition exclusions, etc.). For anything but a group policy you need to go through medical underwriting before a policy will be issued, and, at best, any disease you suffer before becoming properly insured will be a pre-existing condition, at worst you will denied insurance coverage completely. And you can pretty much be denied for anything and everything in your medical history. Personally, I would even avoid going for a wellness exam of any kind until you are insured because the insurance company will look at your records and history and use anything they can against you in the underwriting process, while nothing in your medical history will help, even if by all accounts (even your doctors'!) you appear the picture of health. I speak from experience on this...
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Rudolf Vedo CT United States Local time: 07:24 Member (2008) Croatian to English + ...
Also in IL - Concur with BCBS - and they have dental, of sorts
Nov 18, 2010
I'm in the Rockford area and my children and I are on a BCBS individual plan, while my wife, by necessity, is on her small employer's group plan (though our individual plan is actually much better LOL). Another advantage of BCBS is that they have widest PPO network around - you've really got to work hard to find a doctor who isn't in network. They also have an optional dental rider that covers 2 checkups and cleanings a year, plus discounts on the more invasive services. Just make sure you really do the math in terms of the presented premium/deductible options, because you will be offered a lot of them, and it can get overwhelming. Oh, and if you get a higher deductible plan you can open an HSA to sock away pre-tax money for routine health care costs - with no use-it-or-lose it, it (and any gains in the account) are yours to keep even if you don't spend it all right way, as long as you use it for health care eventually.
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Rudolf Vedo CT United States Local time: 07:24 Member (2008) Croatian to English + ...
@Nicole - there are still almost 4 years to go until full Obamacare
Nov 18, 2010
While some provisions (primarily those relating to coverage for children) are effective now, most of the provisions affecting adults do not take effect until 2014. Others taking effect now do not really help many people - e.g., state high risk pools that require you to be completely without insurance of any kind for 6 months before you are eligible, etc. Until 2014, insurers still can and will reject everyone they possibly can.
[Edited at 2010-11-18 04:53 GMT]
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Nicole Schnell United States Local time: 05:24 Member English to German + ...
Unfortunately
Nov 18, 2010
Rudolf Vedo CT wrote:
While some provisions (primarily those relating to coverage for children) are effective now, most the provisions of affecting adults do not take effect until 2014. Others taking effect now do not really help many people - e.g., state high risk pools that require you to be completely without insurance of any kind for 6 months before you are eligible, etc. Until 2014, insurers still can and will reject everyone they possibly can.
...there are too many free-roaming morons around with big mouths but no brains who think that everything should remain as it was 50 years ago.
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Williamson United Kingdom Local time: 13:24 Flemish to English + ...
A wonderful public healthcare system.
Nov 18, 2010
"Spain, which has a wonderful public healthcare system".
The rest of Europe isn't doing to bad either. Take the Benelux,France,Germany, the Nordic countries,.... as examples. In Germany you have "Krankenkassen". You can choose yourself which you adhere to. When I lived in German, I even went "ins Kur" (wellness week) paid by the Krankenkasse (AOK).
Isn't Obamacare, healthcare for every citizen "socialism"? Against the "American spirit" (fend for yourself).
And socialism is evil, but "greed for the lack of a better word is good" (GG).
If Obama does not get reelected in 2012 and a Republican president (Sarah?) becomes resident of the White House, chances are that the clock will be turned back.
I know. Politics are forbidden on these forum.
But the decisions taken in the White House have an influence on those based in the US (and the rest of the world), although with the Dragon sweeping its tail, this might diminish in years to come. So, mr.mod, please don't censure this answer.
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