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Topic: Going fulltime freelance....what about insurance?
| Author | Message |
| ksmith517 | Posted – 9/8/2007 1:17:08 PM | show profile | email poster I'm about to leave a full time job with great benefits to become a full time freelance writer/editor. I've got enough contracts for upcoming projects to cover the salary end of things, but what about insurance? I know there is even insurance available here, through Avant Guild, but I need something that will cover chronic conditions. I have asthma, and it's scary to think of not having the coverage I need! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Karen |
| writesonwater | Posted – 9/9/2007 5:55:21 AM | show profile I wouldn't leave until you get this nailed down, especially if you have chronic conditions. A friend of mine left a full-time job to go part-time and no benefits, and he is feeling the pinch because he couldn't secure modest health insurance because of a pre-existing condition (ran out of COBRA, which was expensive anyway). An acquaintance who is a small publisher wanted to secure group benefits but couldn't afford to because one employee had diabetes and another was being treated for bipolar disorder. |
| westsidestory | Posted – 9/10/2007 10:23:49 AM | show profile what state are you in? Many states such as NY have subsidized insurance for self-employed people (Healthy NY program). Don't panic - just try to make sure you can cover the payments on your COBRA. Once you leave a job (even voluntarily) you are guaranteed coverage from your current insurance plan for 18 months. The only hitch is that you have to pay it youself - this can run into hundreds - and if you miss even one payment, the policy gets cancelled. Ask anyone, it is worth it to keep a COBRA. Dropping Dental or eye coverage usually saves a few bucks. You'll need to keep the subscription drug coverage if you have asthma. And of course, if you keep the COBRA you get to keep your same doctors and there is no problem with pre-existing conditions, etc. |
| BurbGrrl | Posted – 9/10/2007 9:10:17 PM | show profile Also, scroll up to the Media Issues category -- there is a thread called Emergency Insurance with lots of good advice. I would think, especially having preexisting conditions (asthma is a biggie for the underwriters to say no to), going with a group plan of some sort like AvantGuild might be a good option for you. Going through a broker to find an individual plan, you're likely to end up paying more or having a harder time getting covered. Good luck finding insurance and striking out on your own! |
| brooklynfreelance | Posted – 9/14/2007 12:54:06 PM | show profile COBRA coverage Your employer (HR person or whoever) can tell you how much your COBRA health insurance will be. Mine's about $340/month. yep, it's pricey and it's about to run out. Some COBRA plans cost much more. Westsidestory can you tell me more about this Healthy NY insurance? I'm looking into MB's insurance and an insurance broker right now. There's also insurance through the Freelancer's Union if you're in the NYC area. I have a few months of COBRA coverage left, but need to keep something in place for those pesky pre-existing conditions. I'm guessing there are more threads here about health insurance so I'll peep those too. |
| brooklynfreelance | Posted – 9/14/2007 1:29:43 PM | show profile Answering my own question. fyi...Healthy New York looks at your income before taxes, so I don't qualify. but maybe you do, check it out here: http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hny.htm |
| mkelly | Posted – 9/14/2007 2:48:24 PM | show profile I'm all for COBRA as insurance of last resort, but you may find cheaper rates-- yes, even as an individual-- at some commercial insurance carriers. I paid COBRA for 18 months, then finally had to get my own, and found when I did that I could actually cut my bill. Of course, that was in 2003, when prices were only ridiculous, not outrageously ridiculous. |
