How to Get Health Insurance If You're Self Employed

Health insurance is a hot button topic in the United States these days, with vehement opposition and contentious debate. While the status of the reform efforts are still uncertain, and the prospect of universal health care is a thin one, there are ways to get health insurance even if you're part of the growing number of self employed or freelance workers. And you definitely need health insurance: the single biggest cause of personal bankruptcy is health care related and the of people without coverage are the single biggest piece of the bankruptcy pie.

Most people get their insurance through their jobs, where the large pools of customers give a bargaining advantage to customers that insurance companies can't ignore. This is a good bet for the insurance company as well, since they can spread the risks of payouts across a large number of clients in order to ensure they break even. If you're a freelance worker or self-employed you don't have those advantages, which can really increase the cost of any plan you qualify for. There are some rays of hope however, starting with the introduction of the COBRA plan in 1986.

COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, a bill passed through congress to provide some support and relief for independent workers looking for health insurance. COBRA was an act that provided health insurance to unemployed or retired workers that also applies to self employed workers. COBRA is a government health insurance plan that provided some limited coverage, but isn't particularly well considered, with high premiums and generally ineffective administration. In lieu of a real general health insurance policy produced by the government, it won't meet all your needs, so you're more likely to have to look into private options for real health insurance.

There are some HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations) that offer local plans for self employed workers at reduced costs. HMOs limit the doctors and procedures they cover to reduce their costs but some insurance is better than none. Being regional, they're difficult to speak of in a general sense, but you can look into them at your local chamber of commerce.

There's also NASE, the National Association for the Self Employed, which has several special plans for freelancers. These policies are provided through the MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company, and while they're national they aren't the most comprehensive of plans. A related option is the Freelancer's Union, a quasi-union designed to offer protections to freelance and self employed workers though group leveraging. These options depend on the state you're in and they offer health as well as other types of insurance.

If you are of the Christian faith, there is also a unique health insurance alternative called Medi-Share. Technically it is not insurance, but provides much of the same coverage at a small cost to the customer.

Some states, like New York and Connecticut, have state health insurance plans open to freelancers. While they tend to offer effective and cheap care, they're naturally limited to the state they're offered in and this can complicate injuries or illnesses that occur when traveling or if you're not in one of the participating states. Because many of these options are state-dependent, you should check out your state's insurance offices to find out what applies to you and what the coverage types are.

Finally there's the premium option of just buying an individual health care plan. These vary from state to state as well, and without anyone else behind you they're often more expensive than other options. Some insurance companies have special plans for the self employed so you should check with the companies in you area to find the right option for you.

Bob writes about getting out of debt, saving and making money, and other personal finance topics at ChristianPF.com. Check out his review of Zander Term Life Insurance.

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Choosing a Health Insurance Quotes : The Best Bang for your Buck

Most people get a series of health insurance quotes when shopping around. Everyone requires health insurance of some sorts, whether you are single, married have kids or are a student - and quotes help narrow down your options. However, the process can be quite a tedious one! Not only will this decision affect your levels of medical care, it will also affect your pocketbook. This article will help you manage the choices available to you when shopping for a health insurance quote, so that your medical requirements and budget are both met satisfactorily.

Most of the health insurance quotes that you'll receive will be grouped into one of three categories:

Health Insurance Quotes: Indemnity of Fee-For-Service Plans

The plans that our parents used to use were probably indemnity plans; these health insurance quotes allow you to visit any doctor of your choosing. Highly desirable by many people, these types of health insurance quote are in great demand, however, they are becoming harder and harder to come by, and seem to be creeping up in price. But many consumers are willing to pay this price, because of the convenience and flexibility these plans offer.

Health Insurance Quotes: Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

HMOs are becoming more and more common lately; most health insurance quotes are for this type of plan nowadays. HMOs are, essentially, a group of health service providers who bundle their services together in a fixed price option. If your doctor doesn't refer you to certain care, then you won't be eligible to receive payment for it under your health insurance quote. These types of plans are good for people who know they won't need any specialized services, and if your budget is a factor, this is one of the lower, and more predictable options.

Health Insurance Quotes: Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)

PPOs are a health insurance quote that combines aspects the two aforementioned plans. PPOs offer the same type of managed group services as HMOs, but also allow users to go outside of their network without a referral. It only makes sense, though, that using this option will cost you more out-of-pocket expenses, but it is covered partially. PPOs are a good middle ground health insurance quote option; you get the flexibility of using your group of health care providers or ones outside of the network, and the costs for this type of plan are in the middle range of the three (although costs can be a bit less predictable).

Health Insurance Quotes: Where to Go?

Many consumers get their health insurance quotes from their workplace, which may or may not be partially paid for through the company. If your company doesn't offer this benefit, perhaps talk to professional organizations, unions, banks, club or other group that you belong to - they may have an option that is attractive to you. If you cannot find group coverage this way, you can always opt for individual coverage - but this is by far the most expensive health insurance quote option out there. Talking to an insurance agent who can assist you with the quote process is a good idea, if this is your only avenue.

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Car Parts and Auto Insurance - How Custom Car Parts Can Affect the Cost of Your Auto Insurance

If you choose to drive a car that requires custom car parts to repair, be prepared to pay more for your auto insurance premiums. An insurance company considers a number of factors when determining an applicant's level of risk, including price and cost to repair.

An expensive car will be more expensive to replace if a total loss occurs, and insurance companies are sensitive to this fact. A big price tag on the dealer's lot may lead to a different kind of sticker shock when you contact your insurance company to arrange for coverage. A way to avoid it (or at least be aware of what you are getting yourself into) is to contact your insurance company to get an idea of the cost to insure the vehicle before you buy it.

The same thing applies to a vehicle that needs custom auto parts. Anything that adds to repair costs has the potential to add up to higher premiums for car insurance coverage.

If this doesn't make sense to you yet, look at the idea from the insurance company's point of view: Anything that means the insurer will have to shell out more money in claims increases that driver's level of risk as far as the insurance company is concerned. If you want to keep your insurance costs down, choosing a vehicle that is more expensive than average to get back on the road after an accident won't do it.

Instead, you will want to find a vehicle that can be prepared with standard auto parts. It will be less expensive to run, whether you are making a claim against your insurance policy or not.

Whether you have a car with expensive or custom parts or not - it always makes sense to shop around and compare car insurance rates. Rates can vary dramatically from one company to the next so be sure and compare quotes from at least 5 different companies.

Get started comparing car insurance quotes today!

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How You Can Save With a Dental Plan Vs Dental Insurance

I'm compelled by good nature to share an incredible discovery. In doing some comparisons of a dental plan to a dental insurance, I discovered some very important distinctions. With the recent need to cut back on many of our expenses, a vast majority of us are facing the struggle to keep our health insurance cost at a minimum. And for many of us, the added expense of dental insurance is something that is put on the back burner until it's too late. Even if you have dental coverage with your current insurance policy, when it's time to visit the dentist we find that the insurance policy does not cover everything we think it should. Have you ever tried to use your dental insurance when you have had your teeth whitened? Good luck. With a dental plan, cosmetic dentistry is covered.

I think it is important to learn the facts before you decide on how you can best decide on the purchase of insurance coverage for something so important.

Almost all dental insurance companies use what is called a Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) fee guide. This means that the insurance company sets their own price that they will allow for every dental procedure that they cover. This is not based on what a dentist actually charges, but what the dental insurance company wishes to cover. For example, your dentist may charge $95 for a dental cleaning, but your insurance company will only allow $64 because that is the UCR fee that they have set. With a dental plan, the company sets the price you will pay the dentist even if he charges more.

At least 90 percent of dental insurance policies carry a "missing tooth clause" or a "replacement clause." Many dental insurance policies include at least one of these clauses, but most have both. A missing tooth clause protects the insurance company from paying for the replacement of a tooth that was missing before the policy was in effect. For example, if you lost a tooth before your coverage started and later decided that you would like to have a partial, bridge or implant, the insurance company would not have to pay for that service if they have a missing tooth clause in the plan. A replacement clause is similar except that the insurance company won't pay to replace procedures such as dentures, partials or bridges until the specified time limit has passed. In my research I found dental plans will cover you within 24 to 48 hours including preexisting conditions and one company even covers dental implants.

Well, now you have an alternative to that expensive necessity and it's called a Discount Dental Plan. For a small annual membership fee you can visit your dentist for anything including preexisting conditions and cosmetic dentistry. A good dental plan even covers things like dental implants which most dental insurance policies do not cover. You'll be amazed by the savings you can experience as a member of an inexpensive discount dental plan.

LibertyDentalPlan.com has been providing and administering dental benefits for over 20 years.

When you are ready to compare dental insurance plans visit Fariba Zargar's website for some comparisons of the best dental plans

Our goal is to provide members with appropriate dental benefits, delivered by highly qualified dental professionals in a comfortable setting.

We would like to assist you in making an informed decision amongst a variety of dental insurance plans such as prepaid dental, PPO dental and discount dental plans. The California dental plans we feature on LibertyDentalPlan.com are dental insurance alternatives such as discount dental and prepaid (HMO) dental plans that are perfect for anyone that desires an effortless way to save money on their dental care.

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