Re: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals
Many temp agencies (such as Manpower, ADECCO, etc.) offer health insurance at good rates. You need to be signed up with them, but you can usually buy the insurance even if you don't accept any assignments. It would be a nice thank you to go ahead and accept an assignment once in a while, of course, so they can stay in business and keep providing this service. Agencies are not just for typists any more. They saved my bacon when I was running my own business; got me through more than one slow spot. Dori Green __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals
They do vary widely, and if they cannot get past pre-existing condition because of the certification of previous coverage , they'll simply refuse to underwrite you at all. Two years ago BC/BS in North Carolina decided that a monthly premium several hundred dollars more than my mortgage was reasonable. Two months ago they refused to underwrite me at all. When all else fails do COBRA, it's far better than nothing at all. Connie P. Giordano The Right Words Communications Information Design (704) 957-8450 (cell) www.therightwords.com It's kind of fun to do the impossible. - Walt Disney ---Original Message--- From: Melissa Nelson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals Sent: 23 May '07 08:44 I agree with Dori on the temp agency insurance plans...you can buy into them at a pretty reasonable rate...also you are in line for some decent temp jobs...Adecco and Robert Half Technology both sent me out on small but well-paying contracts...Adecco seemed to have a lot of three month tech writing gigs. Those are nice if you are freelancing...not a large time commitment, but nice pay to get through the lulls. If you do not want to go into temp work at all...check out Carefirst's Blue Cross Blue Shield's individual plans...I think they vary from state to state...I carried a plan for about 18 months and the only bad thing about it was the pre-existing condition and the fact that it took about three months for them to get all my records and sign me up. If you decide to go with them, I would get the ball rolling about three months before you need the insurance. Melissa From: Lisa Gielczyk To: Subject: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 22:11:43 -0500 Hello everyone, I'm starting to look into insurance options (health and dental) and am wondering what other self-employed tech writers are doing. I will have insurance for six months, and then I'm on my own (unless I want to pay COBRA rates...). Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Lisa G. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP
Re: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals
Hi Lisa, Many moons ago, when I was single and looking into health insurance for myself, I was told that I would get better rates if I formed my own group. At that time and with that insurance company, it took only two policies to make a group. I don't know if that route still exists or if it's feasible for you, but it could be something to consider if you can't find an existing group to join. I would suggest calling a local insurance broker to get more information. Have a great day! Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals
Connie Giordano wrote: When all else fails do COBRA, it's far better than nothing at all. I'm not sure if that's true. If you're paying hundreds of dollars a month in premiums, is it better to pay that or to put that money into a personal account that you use to pay for health-related costs? Add up the premium, copay, and deductibles for COBRA or any other policy with extensive coverage. You may find that you're better off with a high-level policy somewhere that covers only major hospitalization costs and footing the rest of the bills yourself. Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals
Jones, Donna wrote: I'm not sure if that's true. If you're paying hundreds of dollars a month in premiums, is it better to pay that or to put that money into a personal account that you use to pay for health-related costs? Add up the premium, copay, and deductibles for COBRA or any other policy with extensive coverage. You may find that you're better off with a high-level policy somewhere that covers only major hospitalization costs and footing the rest of the bills yourself. As others have said, rules and programs vary from state to state. But here's something I haven't seen mentioned in this thread (not that I haven't mentioned it previously in other venues). Call a _commercial_ insurance agent--someone who sells group plans to businesses and represents more than one insurance carrier. As an independent business (sole proprietor, Schedule C), you may or may not be able to establish a group plan for your business with one member. In Connecticut, we were able to do this (my wife and I are both self-employed and we set up the plan under her business rather than mine for technical reasons). In New York, I believe the group has to have at least two members. Other states may have different requirements, and it may also be necessary to incorporate (an S corp or an LLC should work). In any case, doing this provides some flexibility. Once you are a member of a group, you can switch plan types every year just by making an election. And if you do hire an employee, that person can choose a different plan. Typically, preexisting conditions are a non-issue (because you're an employee joining a group rather than an uninsured person getting a new policy). We ended up with a high-deductible policy and a health savings account. The latter is with a bank unrelated to the insurance company, but the policy was written in a way that required us to establish one somewhere. HTH, Dick __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] insurance for self-employed individuals
I'm starting to look into insurance options (health and dental) and am wondering what other self-employed tech writers are doing. I will have insurance for six months, and then I'm on my own (unless I want to pay COBRA rates...). Part of it will depend on the state where you live. For example, in Massachusetts, no one can be required to wait for health insurance because of pre-existing conditions, but anyone who is self-employed must belong to a group (we belong to a businessman's association through the local Chamber of Commerce). And dental insurance wasn't worth it. The limits of what they'd cover in a year pretty much aligned with the payments, so we don't have it. Also, each state has its own requirements. I believe that, in Massachusetts, only insurance companies with a physical presence in the state can do business here. Therefore, the insurance plans listed through the STC don't do me any good...they don't cover us. Finally, if your income is under a certain amount, you may be eligible for state-provided insurance (if your state offers it). And your kids may be eligible, even if you aren't. Oh, one last thing. Again, depending on the state, plus the various settings (like co-pays, ER co-pays, prescription plan, etc.) the rates might be anywhere from I can afford that to you've got to be kidding. HTH! Char James-Tanny ~ JTF Associates, Inc. ~ http://www.helpstuff.com -- Please send follow-up questions to the list. (Inquires sent off-list may not be seen.) Contact me directly (CharJT at helpstuff dot com) with business inquiries. -- 2006-2007 Microsoft Help MVP Find a Help Authoring Tool at HAT-Matrix.com ~ http://hat-matrix.com Co-author of Managing Virtual Teams ~ http://www.wordware.com/wiki AuthorIT Certified Consultant, Development, and Training STC Secretary, 2006-2008 Web site Hosting and Design ~ http://www.jtfhosting.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
