More and more these days, people are turning to newer and "non-traditional" forms of employment. Over the course of the last decade, the number of people who are working as a part of the "gig economy" have soared. This includes not only freelancers and people who are self-employed, but people who drive for ride-sharing enterprises like Uber, Lyft and more.
Of course, with that newfound sense of freedom comes a potential obstacle to be addressed: how you're going to get healthcare? What do you do for medical coverage if you're self-employed, a freelancer, or a "solo-preneur" in some fashion? Thankfully, you do have a number of clear options available; you just have to approach things from a very specific angle.
By far, one of the best and easiest ways to get medical coverage when you're part of the gig economy, involves taking a look at the Affordable Care Act marketplace in your state.
Also commonly referred to as either Obamacare or the ACA for short; the Affordable Care Act makes it easy to get policies every year through your web browser, or talking directly with a licensed health insurance agent about your options. The open enrollment period begins November 1 and runs through January 15, and offers plan types like HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, POS plans, and more.
Of course, you'll have to do some shopping around until you find the plan that is best for you. Some offer supplemental medical coverage like dental or vision in one package, others do not. Some will be high-deductible plans with low monthly premiums, others will be the reverse. The point is that this is an easy resource to not only research what is available in your price range, and which policies fit your unique medical needs, but also to purchase and manage those plans over the course of the year as well.
Beyond that, know that many private health insurance companies also offer plans that are specifically designed for self-employed and freelance individuals. There are usually short-term plans (for situations where you're not expected to maintain your freelance status for very long) and long-term plans that resemble more traditional medical coverage. You can go to the individual websites of providers in order to do your research, check out the ACA marketplace, or talk to a licensed insurance agent in your area.
If you'd like to find out more information about how to get health insurance when you're a freelancer, are self-employed, or are a part of the gig economy, let us help! We can get you connected with a licensed insurance agent in your area who can help you navigate your options, and find a plan that best fits your needs!