The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 3 (of 5) - health insurance for IC in massachusetts

health insurance for IC in massachusetts

hi, this might be completely inappropriate for this forum, but maybe someone out there can help.

I am an independent consultant in MA and I haven't had had health insurance for 3 years. Not because I can't afford it, mainly due to youthful stupidity. I'm trying to do a bit more snowboarding this season and have aged to the point where I should be more concerned about my health. I also ride my bike to work, which is sort of dangerous in the Boston area. I don't want to have to pay a $30,000 bill out of my own pocket if I blow one of my knees out or get hit by a car.

I've done a bit of research online and mostly what I've discovered is that the "easy to buy online" health insurance usually is not available in MA. The only one i've located is blue cross / blue shield.

Before I sign up for this, do any MA based folks have suggestions for health insurance?

consultant
Friday, November 21, 2003

Self insurance. That's what I do.

Tapiwa
Friday, November 21, 2003

Contact your local chamber of commerce. They usually have a group plan that as a member you can join in. This cut my bill by about 35% over self-insured.

I pay a little over $500/month for a family plan, with pretty good coverage. At $6,000 a year, it sounds like a lot, until you have that first hospital visit.

MSHack
Friday, November 21, 2003

BC/BS is pretty much the only option in Massachusetts -- I pay around $250/month right now for individual coverage.

chump
Friday, November 21, 2003

remember wherever you are that you may be able to save money by raising your deductible.
if you figure the insurance is only for emergency purposes, a $500 or $1000 deductible may save you enough money that you can put aside the 500-1000 in a year or two.

mb
Friday, November 21, 2003

Self-Insurance isn't about going out and getting an individual insurance policy. It's about setting aside the money you would have given to the insurance company (and the attendant overhead that goes with it) and saving it yourself. It's the most efficient way to insure yourself, balanced against the risk that you may not have enough saved up yet to cover a major accident. But if you do have enough saved up, it's definitely the way to go...

Ankur
Monday, November 24, 2003

Don't go snowboarding, play on a computer. Eat healthy food and exercise at home. You don't need any insurance whatsoever.

timothy not in MA
Monday, November 24, 2003