Tips For The Self Employed On Health Insurance
Affordable health insurance is hard to find these days and sadly, as a result, many are forced to go without it. Finding affordable health insurance that provides for the needs of your family is a difficult task and it usually brings up a myriad of questions – because health insurance coverage can get pretty complex.
Sam Gibbs, Senior Vice President of eHeathInsurance, has a keen understanding of the shifts in how people search for and buy health insurance and is skilled at explaining the complexities of health insurance to consumers. Sam joins host, Anita Campbell and co-host Steve Rucinski, for an in-depth discussion on cost effective, affordable health insurance options for small business owners and the self-employed.
Below are the questions we asked Sam in this episode:
- (2:00) First Sam, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
- (3:44) Is it important to have health insurace? Why not go bare?
- (4:58) If you’re self-employed, can you deduct health insurance premiums from your federal income taxes?
- (6:33) Can you talk about what is taxed vs. what is deductible?
- (7:49) How do you approach the health insurance issue to find the best deals possible?
- (10:51) What is COBRA and the COBRA subsidy?
- (13:12) Are there any particular carriers that are good for the self-employed to approach? Or ones to stay away from? Or doesn’t it really break down that way?
- (14:56) What is eHeathInsurance.com and how does it compare with telephoning your local insurance agent?
- (19:21) Is there an advantage to getting a higher deductible?
- (20:56) Who sets up an HSA (Health Savings Account)?
- (21:51) What if someone has a pre-existing condition – can they still get health insurance?
- (23:47) If I shop online for health insurance how can I protect my private information?
- (24:48) What can a small business owner or self employed person expect to pay for health insurance?
- (25:54) What makes for such variables between cost state to state?
- (27:06) What advice can you provide to small business owners with employees?
- (28:24) Sam, where can people find out more on the web?
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-Listen to Sam’s Interview now by clicking the player below -
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 am
I will listen to this podcast interview as a preparation for my work in America. It is important to know the rules, costs, ramifications, etc.
Sam Gibbs: Have you heard about the organization Americans for Free Choice in Medicine? They have written an overview and history about HSA: http://www.afcm.org/hsahistory.html
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
Tips For The Self Employed On Health Insurance…
Sam Gibbs, Senior Vice President of eHeathInsurance, has a keen understanding of the shifts in how people search for and buy health insurance and is skilled at explaining the complexities of health insurance to consumers….
July 24th, 2009 at 9:55 am
This was a pretty informative show about a really complicated topic. It helped me to better understand my healthcare options and become more aware of the approach to take regarding shopping for healthcare. I listened to the President’s speech the other night – and I just hope that we can all see some relief in the very near future here.
Anyway you slice it though, Americans need relief and these insurance companies need to be made accountable for some of their actions. (Like denying payment for life-saving surgeries, etc.)
July 31st, 2009 at 5:31 am
Very helpful information. Thanks for simplifying this topic.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 am
People will have the opportunity to maintain a great and healthy body if they are willing enough to discipline themselves in terms of doing some physical exercise.
August 8th, 2009 at 7:32 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan