| If you've ever taken the huge leap of leaving | | | | insurance situation.If your self employed, |
| that secure 9 to 5 job for the self employed | | | | you may want to look at group insurance plans |
| route, you probably know how it feels to have | | | | from organizations like the NASE. The |
| to go looking for your own health insurance | | | | National Association of the Self Employed can |
| plan.To be sure, most of us at one time or | | | | provide you with more information and you may |
| another have worked for a company simply | | | | find some of their rates to be very |
| because we wanted the security that their | | | | competitive.A number of trade organizations |
| benefit packages provide. Health insurance | | | | and associations may also have benefit plans |
| would be one of the most vital parts of all | | | | that could provide you with coverage. If you |
| of this.Yet with corporate downsizing and | | | | belong to a trade organization don't hesitate |
| layoffs, staying with a company simply for | | | | to contact them to see what might be |
| the insurance isn't as secure any more. So | | | | available.It's also important to compare |
| if your in position to have to find insurance | | | | individual or family plans from a number of |
| for yourself here's a few bits of advice that | | | | companies. Be sure that things such as the |
| might be of help.First off, don't be stupid | | | | stated deductible and coverage guidelines are |
| and go without. Some years ago I found | | | | comparable when looking at the cost. |
| myself between jobs and between coverage. I | | | | Eventually we found a good plan for my wife |
| got hurt simply playing a pick-up game of | | | | and I that is fairly affordable for what we |
| basketball and needed surgery. Unfortunately | | | | have in coverage.At one point, I was denied |
| I had no other option. I couldn't work if I | | | | coverage by an insurance company and my wife |
| didn't get the damage repaired and I didn't | | | | was leaving her company position to work in |
| have insurance to cover the cost so I ended | | | | her own business. One thing I learned at |
| up putting it all on a credit card. It took | | | | this time was that many states will provide |
| me years to pay the debt off. In particular, | | | | some type of insurance coverage for you if |
| if you have a family, you can't afford to go | | | | you have been turned down at some point. The |
| without some form of insurance.Often right | | | | rates are a bit higher than you might have to |
| after leaving a company you can still have | | | | pay with a standard policy but at least you |
| access to insurance through a company's COBRA | | | | have coverage. So don't rule out a state |
| option. The company is lawfully required to | | | | funded program if your having trouble getting |
| give you access to the plan. You'll have to | | | | insurance.Regardless of what company you go |
| pay the monthly premiums of course with no | | | | with, remember that's it's very important to |
| additional assistance from the company, but | | | | maintain health insurance coverage for |
| you may find it more affordable than an | | | | yourself or your family. You'll never know |
| individual plan. COBRA plans should be | | | | when you may need it in a time of crisis. |
| looked at as a short term solution to your | | | | |