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Guest post by Lucy Wyndham
While becoming a full-time freelancer is an exciting milestone in an individual’s career, this achievement does not come without challenges. In addition to having an inconsistent income and client acquisition, the top concern of freelancers (as reported by Entrepreneur.com) is health care. Since freelancers work on contracts, there is no opportunity to sign up for employer-issued health benefits. This can cause an especially stressful situation for new freelancers who may not yet be making their goal income.
If you are a full-time freelancer who does not have the opportunity to be included in a spouse’s health insurance plan, there are still ways to get quality health care at an affordable cost. Explore three top recommendations for freelancers needing health care.
Inquire about payment plans for health and wellness services
If you’ve decided to forgo health insurance temporarily, it is important to have a plan to pay for routine and emergency expenses. From dental work to treat cavities, to chiropractic visits, to primary care check-ups, many health care providers now offer ways to pay for your visit in installments. Prior to making an appointment, inquire about what financial options are offered. For certain health care services (such as dental and chiropractic), discounts can be given if you purchase certain packages, or have a coupon for a specific service. Asking about pricing and available payment plans will ensure that you are getting the best deal, and that you can spread your costs over time.
Compare health insurance plans from as many sources as possible
Think that all health insurance plans cost roughly the same? Self-employed health insurance plans can actually vary significantly from one provider to the next. If you’ve decided to get a monthly plan for yourself, it literally pays to check as many sources as possible. Instead of just looking at pricing online, be sure to speak with insurance sales professionals to guarantee that you are indeed getting the most discounts added to your premium quote. There will sometimes be special rates that are not advertised online, or that cannot be accessed without the help of an insurance provider.
Sign up for medication savings programs
One of the biggest health care expenses for many is their monthly prescriptions. Whether you do or do not have insurance, it is worth looking into various medication savings programs that are offered by pharmacies across the country. For a small yearly fee, enrollment in these plans allows you to purchase your prescriptions at a significant discount. While many of these programs are for individuals who do not have health insurance, some do allow individuals who are underinsured to join.
Although finding affordable health care options as a freelancer can be a source of stress for many, there are strategies (like the ones listed above) to alleviate this burden. In the future, many health care providers and insurance companies will likely begin to offer better options for self-employed workers, as over half of the American workforce is projected to be freelancing over the next decade.