Hi All,
As I get lower & lower on my strategic plan, I am thrilled that my virtual doors are only days away from opening, yet discouraged that all of this hard work may have been for nothing.
My goals are to get myself going, market, get myself established so I can quit my full-time job and go back to school while I work from home. I know this isn't going to be an overnight process and am willing to work my buttocks off until I can achieve my goals! Unfortunately I can't stop this nagging voice reminding me of my health insurance dilemma. I carry the health insurance for our family. My sig other is also an independent contractor (carpentry). Although resolving the health insurance issue is a little farther down on my list, I couldn't resist looking into the cost of just paying for it. Now I knew it was going to be expensive but I assumed there would be private insurance plans for the self-employed. Apparently NOT!! The cost is INSANE!! While it is a perk for the businesses who hire us not to have to pay for benefits, giving up that benefit when you have children is a huge sacrafice! I'm so confused between my dreams and being "secure".
Has anyone been in this predicament? I have little ones. I CAN NOT be uninsured! I guess I could get them insured through the state, but honestly, I have been uninsured before and have had to subject myself to free care for a mandatory procedure and let me tell ya, when I saw a roach walking up the wall during a surgical procedure, I swore I would NEVER allow myself to be in that situation again! Any suggestions????? This stinks!

I'm sort of in the same boat. Have you looked into various business associations that pool together for group insurance plans? Also, setting up a health savings account can help too.

krys

I am in the situation, but I am not going to let insurance hold me back or keep me from reaching my dreams.

If you set your rate to include insurance cost, you can set aside a portion of the money to pay the insurance premium. You could take on an extra client or work a few extra hours a week to cover the cost. Yes, it cost more but it will be worth it. Don't let insurance stop you!

If there is a will, there is a way!

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Dusty Warren

Hi Dawn, we're also shopping for insurance and it is expensive - Dusty is right, it needs to be something you work into your hourly rate.

A client of mine suggested Freelancers Union for insurance. Because I'm pregnant, no one will insure me right now anyway so I haven't looked too much into it yet and don't know the details but it might be worth checking out.

We talked about this somewhat recently here on the forums (it's a regularly re-appearing topic, and I think always will be) - here's the thread, if you're interested.

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I understand perfectly your concern. I am the sole provider in my household and I receive both Medicare and Medicaid through Social Security due to some disablities that I have. (My children has their Father's insurance so they are fine).

I can't just start my VA business whenever I want to otherwise I lose both insurance. So I use "Ticket to Work" program with Social Security to protect my coverage.

I heard someone with kids who were in exact same position as you're in - she applied with the State (I believe Department of Human Service) for Healthy Kids insurance for 5 dollars a month per child. Full coverage with Dental. No coverage for her but at least she had her kids covered. So maybe that's something you can look into?

You were given many great advices - I hope it all works out

Have you checked into joining your local Chamber of Commerce? I'm not a member of mine yet, but I did notice while cruising their member benefits a while back that they offer discounted health insurance plans for members. Not sure how discounted or if all Chambers offer this perk, but it's at least worth looking into.

Good luck!

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
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Originally Posted by Tess

Because I'm pregnant, no one will insure me right now anyway so I haven't looked too much into it yet and don't know the details but it might be worth checking out.

Hi Tess - are you absolutely sure that no one will insure you now, being pregnant? I'm just wondering because I switched jobs in the early part of my pregnancy and was concerned about insurance coverage with my new employer, but they said pregnancy wasn't considered a pre-existing condition, so I got coverage right away with no problem. I know it's probably different, since I went through a group employer plan, but I just thought I'd check. It seems so crappy that insurance companies will deny you because of pregnancy...I know it can be expensive, but isn't that what they're there for???? The whole money-grubbing insurance industry just really ticks me off...

*Stepping off my soap box now*

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
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The whole insurance question makes me so mad it's unhealthy. I have none, but may look into a 'major medical' when my income stabilizes. Once before, during another period of no insurance, I had to spend a night in the hospital and then spent five years paying it off. This is so WRONG. We Americans need to fix this unacceptable situation for Pete's sake, or bust in the attempt.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Hey Dawn,

It's awesome that you are looking at these things BEFORE you quit your full-time job. This doesn't have to be the end of you starting your own business and going back to school. I agree with Dusty, you can work it into your rates. You also need to work it into your business plan (whether you have a written one or not). It might mean that you take a little longer to get where you want to be and that you need more savings to start your business with. So, make sure you plan that time and money in.

I see you banging your head against the wall. It's an adjustment, but it doesn't mean you are done.

Create a great day!
Kristen

PS - do you have a financial advisor that can help you work out a plan? That might help you get started on the right foot with all the expenses of running your business.

I just had this conversation w/an insurance broker. He said in Colorado that the 1-person business coverage CANNOT be charged at a higher rate than the multiple-person business coverage. The only caveats being that I have to apply for insurance coverage through TVOG with 30 days of my birthday, I must have been in business for at least 1 year, and TVOG must be my primary 'job.' My current insurance rate for myself and my hubby is approx $560/month. My employer pays $209/month toward my insurance and I cover the balance of the cost myself so it won't be as painful for me to switch to covering the entire amount through TVOG. The key, he said, is that I apply for the coverage as a business, not an individual.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"