Health Insurance for Photographers?

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

10/26/2006 12:25:59 PM · #1

I searched the forums, but didn't see anything that applied. Maybe I missed it?

Since my wife left her job of 10 years we lost a really good health Insurance package where we had to pay very little. Now we need to get ourselves covered and looking at all the options including professional associations.

Anyone know of any Photographer Associations that provide Group Health Coverage and what the association dues and/or insurance rates are?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

10/26/2006 02:13:05 PM · #2

You're right, group health coverage would be much cheaper than getting it as an individual.

When I was self employed I used as company called Liberty Health. I'm not sure if they have an American counterpart but you wouldn't need something set up strictly for Photographers.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/26/2006 03:16:55 PM · #3

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

... you wouldn't need something set up strictly for Photographers.

Well, I was looking at Professional Associations as an alternative to bring costs down. For COBRA coverage with my wife's previous employer, the plan will cost us $850 a month. An Eatna individual health plan will cost us $450 a month.

I got a PM from someone saying that the cost/value of insurance through Professional Associations tends to be lower due to higher claims and "tendency of sicker people to seek the coverage." So I may just forget about it, but for now I'm still interested in what folks have to offer.

Anywho... I'll just keep on, keeping on.

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

10/26/2006 03:27:48 PM · #4

ASMP is and example of photographer membership organization.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

10/26/2006 06:53:27 PM · #5

Originally posted by _eug:

Originally posted by cpanaioti:
... you wouldn't need something set up strictly for Photographers.

Well, I was looking at Professional Associations as an alternative to bring costs down.

I think we're talking about the same thing just referring to it differently. In Canada it's called group insurance and it doesn't necessarily have to be a professional association. The one I mentioned is for any individual who doesn't have coverage through work or is self employed.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

10/26/2006 08:39:22 PM · #6

I was in your situation a couple of months ago.

What we found was that most association "group" rates are not the same as the group rates that you'd get through an employer. The monthly rates through the associations were anywhere from 5-10 times what we were paying monthly on an employer plan. Most of the plans through the associations were so-called low-premium/high dedectible plans too. Even though the premium was much higher than what we paid previously, it was considered "low" and the deductibles were 3-4 times as much too. They will also likely decline coverage for any pre-existing conditions or any other reason that makes them think they might actually have to pay out. If they do have to pay out, you can guarantee that your rates will double or more, as soon as the insurance company can raise them.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

10/26/2006 08:49:26 PM · #7

Being a self employed it is imposble to afford health insurance for day to day problems. You need to get insurance that will help you in case of a big problem($20,000 medical bill). That means you need to pick an insurance plan with very high deductible. Even as high as $5000. It sounds crazy but it actually is the right way go to. This way you monthly cost will be affordible.

At least this is what I heard.

Nick

BethieB

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 for Canon

10/26/2006 09:20:17 PM · #8

health insurance is my game and I wish i had some magic answers for you, but i don't. Fact is that its just expensive and hard to get w/o being employed. It sounds like you're on the right track in doing your research and exploring all your options.

Does your state have any plans? I know in NY there is Healthy NY and other programs that some residents qualify for.

A plan through an Association is actually a very good idea... just don't expect to pay less than you would through an employer.

I don't recommend the catastrophic plans, though. You could go broke in just office visits and a simple illnesss could bankrupt you in Rx costs.... you may be surprised at the ACTUAL costs of basic things like Rx and office visits.... hundreds and thousands of dollars. Not something you want to pay towards a deductible (unless you have a heafty savings acct).

my advice, honestly, is to go for Cobra. It's expensive, but you know what you're geting. Then when you or your wife has a new employer, negotiate for them to pay your Cobra until their insurance kicks in.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

Good luck!

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

10/26/2006 09:50:19 PM · #9

Hi,
As an x-Insurance agent I can offer a few tips but technologies has advanced since I was in the business, driving up the cost.

First you need evaluate your health. Do you have any illnesses or take medications on a regular basis.

1. If you and your family are healthy and do not take medications then an HMO plan maybe the way to go at your age. HMO's tend to cost less but you give up some benefits and sometimes HMO's can cost a person their life.

2. If you and/or your family have an illness or at high risk for illness and/or take medications then go with a PPO provider. The premiums are higher but you get good coverage with most companies and you can make most of the decisions, not the insurance company, if you have a illness that needs attention.

3. It is a shame that health insurance premiums cost so much but most stats offer health insurance based on income. Georgia has it and it don't matter if you make no money or $100K a year you can apply for the insurance. Of course you have to pay a yearly premium and co-pay on medications but it is significantly cheaper than purchasing an individual plan.

4. By all means get covered. I have a friend that was in good health age 40; two years ago and went in to have a mild back surgery. He developed pancreatic problems from the surgery and has been in and out of the hospital since. Last January he told me that his medical bill's had reached $2,000,000 and he has been in and out of the hospital since then. His medications cost in excess of $500 /month. All this with Insurance. The key is that he has meet his lifetime limit and how is covered 100%. So he does not have deductibles anymore but he still has to pay for his medication copay. $500/mo. is a lot better than what they would cost him without Rx coverage.

I wish you well in finding a good company. Cobra coverage is good but the premiums are high and only last for a maximum of 18 months (if it has not changed).

SDW

Message edited by author 2006-10-26 21:53:18.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

10/27/2006 12:08:20 AM · #10

Thanks to everyone who has replied. It really helps to get the inside scoop from those who have been through it and those on the inside.

I'll be bumping tomorrow for anyone who missed and has anything else helpful.

Caitlyn

Nikon D70

10/27/2006 12:22:56 AM · #11

I see you are still fairly young so should have a much easier time of it than we did. I was the one with insurance coverage and with management change pretty much everyone at the newspaper quit. The stress levels had become so high my BP was through the roof. Big eye opener for us. Couldn't afford the cobra, insurance through husband's employment not possible as was even more expensive than the cobra. High BP, overweight and 50 and over we aren't able to get insurance. We've since moved to a different state and will look into alternatives in Missouri but one of the things we did look at just in case of major medical problems was a health savings. It at least was affordable for the premium and you made payments into a savings account to take care of medical expenses which was tax deductible up to a certain dollar amount. Good luck to you and if anyone out there knows MO insurance, I'm listening.