
Thinking of making the leap to working for yourself? Working for yourself is rewarding, but not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges, particularly if you’re used to getting health insurance through an employer, is choosing a high-quality, affordable health insurance plan for yourself.
To make it easier, we put together a handy list of common questions about affordable health insurance for freelancers, consultants, and independent contractors.
Do I really need health insurance?
Health insurance is a particularly good investment if you are starting to build your own business. Out-of-pocket health care is expensive. No one plans to get sick or hurt, but illnesses and injuries can happen at any time. In some cases, they can leave you with overwhelming medical bills.
Not only can health insurance help you save money on covered health services, it also offers preventive services at no additional cost. Preventive care helps catch illnesses early and helps you stay healthy in the future.
Does Independence Blue Cross offer affordable self-employed health insurance options?
Depending on your estimated yearly income and the size of your family, you may qualify for a subsidy to help you save on your monthly health insurance premium. Try our Subsidy Calculator at ibx4you.com to see if you might be eligible. Be aware that you’ll have to estimate your annual income.
After you check to see if you may be subsidy-eligible, you can stay on the site to browse affordable plans for self employed health insurance.
How do I get a quote for a health plan?
Visit ibx.com/indiiduals or call 1-888-475-6206 (TYY: 711).
When can I apply for self-employed health insurance?
If you’re planning to leave a job that provides health insurance, or if you left a job within the last 60 days, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This means you’ll have 60 days to shop for affordable self-employed health insurance.
Otherwise, you can shop for a health plan during the Open Enrollment Period, which traditionally begins each November.