I'm running out of time to choose COBRA health insurance continuation.

[evlbstrd]

The premium is $712 per month to cover my family. I'm trying to get a freelance business going, rather than another full time job.
Anybody have some suggestions for affordable health insurance?

[BlackVelvet04]

1. Go online

and find a health insurance quote site. I found my insurance through Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

[MissWaverly]

2. Suggestions

My brother-in-law is self employed, he carried the "golden rule" insurance plan, they pay promptly, no hassle, also I have heard of
Erie insurance, you might check them out as well.

Good Luck!

http://www.erieinsurance.com/


https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Census.fs;jsessionid=D5Z6YLzvG7nLvyVHR1v0YxrzmtwC1n3zhlQ4ZHz1CVvvtbTKTlb1!-1995123774!-265076902?mcei.html.screen=SGSelectedTopMenu&mcei.html.nextscreen=NA&type=8&mcei.app.terminalID=__tid__2_

[3waygeek]

3. Take a look at

Kaiser Permanente; when I was running my own business a few years back, I bought a personal plan from them.

[Postman]

4. D.G.S. Plan

Don't Get Sick

Better known as the Republican Party Health Insurance Plan.

[evlbstrd]

11. Low premium, low deductibles, eh?

[Postman]

14. Yeah, you pay nothing...

and you get nothing.

[Obamarama]

5. Do you or anyone in your family have any significant health issues??

If not, you might want to consider what I did when I was downsized and in between gigs to avoid paying the outrageous COBRA premiums.

Do you have a community college nearby? If so, consider enrolling in a course for the winter semester. If you take at least two credits, you will be eligible to apply for student health insurance. Its available to every community college student in the country. The monthly premium for just myself was $66, but not sure what it costs for dependents. I'm sure it's nowhere NEAR $712!!

It's not the GREATEST if you're needing regular drug benefits, making lots of office calls, etc... but it provided peace of mind that if something major happened, I could go to the hospital, get treated and not be driven into bankruptcy.

Here's a link to the various policy descriptions for the American Association for Community Colleges. Just about every community college belongs to the AACC, and if you're enrolled in one you are eligible to enroll in the program.

http://www.studentresources.com/college/ViewBrochures.aspx

[evlbstrd]

8. I need to cover my family.

My daughter is being treated for depression, and we can't let that get interrupted.

[Obamarama]

12. Yeah, this probably wouldn't be the best option then....

You can cover your family, but I'm sure it wouldn't provide the coverage you need to continue your daughter's care uninterrupted.

Best of luck on finding a decent alternative.

[evlbstrd]

13. I appreciate the thought.

So far, it looks like I can get coverage for around $300 a month at the lowest.

[sipnsail]

6. try http://www.assuranthealth.com

[Coyote_Bandit]

7. Try the group plan

through the national association of self-employed (NASE). You can select all your coverages (i.e., maternity, prescription drug, office calls, ambulatory services, air ambulance, etc.) and choose whether to opt in or out.

[evlbstrd]

9. That sounds good. Thanks.

[enid602]

10. catastrophic health insurance

There's also catastrophic health insurance which has a huge yearly deductible, but protects you should you or one of your family members come down with a life-threatening illness. Usually very cheap, and a good idea if you have equity in a house or IRA to protect.