In the United States, we’re used to getting health insurance through our job. But what if your employer doesn’t offer health insurance? Here’s how to get the coverage you need.
What’s Your Situation?
The best way to find health insurance without getting it through your employer is to know your work situation. Some small businesses are too small to offer their employees health insurance. If that’s the case, think of it like this—you’ll create your own “benefits package,” as you would receive with a regular employee plan.
You can have your pick of insurance policies, unlike many employer insurance options. The difficulty, then, is the lack of cost support for premiums and other perks. However, premium subsidies could make your individual health insurance very affordable. These will pay a substantial portion of your monthly premium and may even cover the whole thing.
A health savings account (HSA) can also help you afford your insurance and medical costs. Put simply, this is just a bank account with medical perks. You put money in tax-free and take it out tax-free to afford your deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.
If you buy a plan outside of your employer and find that you want to add coverage more tailored to your needs, you can also purchase additional coverage known as riders.
These same ideas apply to other types of employment as well. Say, for instance, you’re an independent contractor or freelancer. You don’t qualify for employer coverage and have those same options available to you. The same goes for those who work part-time and don’t qualify.
Your employer may not offer you a health insurance plan, but they may reimburse you a portion of the cost for your separate insurance policy. You just select a plan you like, and they’ll contribute.
Common Options
All of that being said, how do you get your own health insurance plan apart from an employer? This is where your specific situation comes into play. When searching for policies, consider your job, budget, health needs, etc.
Marketplace health insurance is available to everyone who lives in the U.S. as a legal citizen outside of prison. There are tons of low-cost options available. Just make sure you plan to sign up during open enrollment from November 1 through December 15, or anytime if you are:
- Getting married
- Getting divorced
- Having a baby
- Adopting a child
- Changing residence outside of your current insurance service area
- Lose your current health insurance
Off-market options are also available and can provide more tailored coverage. It may not qualify under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), so be sure to review your state requirements.
Serving You Great Insurance—Call Kannonball
We don’t just know insurance, we deliver it. Get the coverage you need from Kannonball Insurance Solutions by calling 254-918-5444.
