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Health Insurance thread round 2? (self.freelance)

submitted ago by ImpactEventFan

I checked the health insurance thread listed in the FAQ: http://www.reddit.com/r/freelance/comments/ozlm6/reddit_what_do_you_do_for_health_insurance_more/

It's pretty light on information. I'm curious what thoughts are on:

  1. Freelancers' "Union" insurance (if you think it's a racket, why?)

  2. Joining something like the ACM (Association of Computing Machinery, fairly up my alley as a software engineer) - what are their group rates like compared to purchasing individual insurance?

  3. What's really going on with the Obamacare insurance co-ops debuting January 1, 2014? There are two that may cover my area, is there anything I should know before figuring out coverage until they become available?

  4. COBRA - is there a site where it's explained (well) in English, for those transitioning from 9-to-5 to freelancing?

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[–]wjowsa 1 point2 points ago

When I freelanced I just picked up my own policy via ehealthinsurance.com It ended up being a PacificCare/United Healthcare plan. It was just a 5k deductible, but it saved me money-wise when I had to have my appendix removed :)

[–]ImpactEventFan[S] 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, I'm seeing EHI.com as one option other places I've asked. Wondering how evil they are, and how prices (and evilness) compare to insurance through various professional societies (ACM, AITP, IEEE) and Freelancers' Union.

[–]Imakeshotspretty 0 points1 point ago

Man these threads make me happy I live in a country where this isn't a problem. Have enough headaches without it already.

[–]ImpactEventFan[S] 0 points1 point ago

I love all the clips you can find online of UK politicians (even the conservative cut-cut-cut ones) swearing up and down that there's nooooo way they'll force American "health" "care" on the masses. heh.

[–]freejulianassange 0 points1 point ago

Where did you get the idea that the freelancers union is a scam? I'm a member and they provide great coverage at a very reasonable (for single payer in the US) rate.

[–]ImpactEventFan[S] 0 points1 point ago

I dunno, somebody said it in the thread in the FAQ. Also, they're a nonprofit brokerage, but the actual insurance company is for-profit. I'm naturally suspicious of for-profit insurance as a concept.

Do tell me more about ballpark rates and such, though!

[–]freejulianassange 1 point2 points ago

Apologies for the vagary, but I'm not at my computer...

There's like $100 or something registration fee, then yearly $50 dues after that. I pay a little less than $350 a month for great Blue Cross coverage, but there's a pretty good level below that (more catastrophic oriented, but still with ok preventative treatment) for like $250 a month.

[–]ImpactEventFan[S] 1 point2 points ago

Yeah, I definitely need fuller coverage for a couple issues that need treatment, watching, etc. Thanks!