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How To Buy Health Insurance
By Marc Tracy
Generally, what we talk about when we talk about health care is reforming it so as to get small businesses out of the business of providing it as well as saving them billions of dollars. However, BizBox doesn't run the world (not yet, anyway), and so if you decide to quit your job--or if that decision is made for you--and then start your own business, you're going to need either to purchase health insurance on your own or go without. In the spirit of not being afraid to be service-y, let's take a look at a recent Wall Street Journal article on how to buy health insurance.
In essence, the article recommends that you do your own homework--and a lot of it. It recommends Georgetown University's healthinsuranceinfo.net, the National Health Law Program's healthcarecoach.com, and the Kaiser Family Foundation's site. And even with all of those resources, it still may also be worth consulting an independent agent, or several (make sure they have a license!), particularly if it's your first time buying on your own.
Beyond that, caveat emptor! Buy insurance, not just a discount card. Look beyond premiums: make sure you have a catastrophe insurance, that your out-of-pocket costs are capped, that your percentage of doctors' visits is reasonable.
And don't forget to see if you're eligible for federal unemployment-related health benefits! Our very own Jerry Kalish expounded on how the federal stimulus law expanded that coverage--check it out.
Comments (0)July 2, 2009 9:49 AM
