Health Insurance...

[hockley91]

Hey everyone,

 

I decided to put this post here since it's "general", but I don't know if this is the best place to put this.

 

I am getting close to doing my 3D stuff full time and I wanted to know if any of you out there use your 3d business to get health insurance or if you do family/independent health insurance?

 

I'm 32 years old and I also have a pre existing medical condition which makes this even more difficult for private health insurance. I currently work for an architecture firm, and do the 3D stuff on the side.

 

Any ideas or thoughts that could help? I'm not sure what to do here.....

 

Thank You!

 

Adam Hockley

[Quique]

Adam,

 

I'm a 3d freelancer also, and since it sounds like you're doing freelance work so in that sense you're self-employed. (even though you do have another job where you're an employee) You can check out NASE (National Association for the Self Employed) at nase.org for info on joining them as they also offer health insurance through Mega Life Insurance. I just moved to TX myself and it's about $200/month for health insurance (just myself and no pre-existing conditions - BTW I'm only a few years younger than you). I do believe you need to show proof of business such as a business license when you sign up, I'm not sure, but just so you know in case you feel like proceeding.

[jackb602]

Hi Adam,

 

I'm in the same boat, and I now have private insurance which ain't cheap. Since you're an architect, you might want to look in to the AIA. They offer a group plan to members. I'm actually not a member, but have thought about joining, partly for the insurance benefit.

 

Jack

[hockley91]

Thanks for you all your input.

 

I just found a great website that details all your options by what state you live in. You scroll and find your state and you can view or download (.pdf) the file!

 

http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/

 

This website did a lot of research on the subject!

 

Adam

[Richard Rush]

Another possibility may be your local Chamber of Commerce. Here in Philadelphia the Chamber has a program for self employed people to access the same insurance choices available to large company groups. That's the only reason I'm a member.

 

Another possibility: The AIA has an "affiliate membership" category (at least here in Philadelphia they do) that is intended for non-architects that are otherwise involved in the industry. Health insurance is also available to those members. Other benefits for affiliate members include being listed in printed directories and on the local chapter web site by service category. Although I'm an architect I've been told I can be an affiliate member as long as I am not practicing architecture in the traditional sense. I'm thinking about going this route and dropping the Chamber membership. I have been a regular AIA member in the past, but I'm no longer willing to participate in their compulsory continuing education since I have no intent of ever going back to traditional practice.

 

And another possibility: The ASAI (American Society of Architectural Illustrators) (http://www.asai.org) has a program for health insurance but I don't know anything about it.

 

One thing the above options have in common is that they are expensive, but less expensive than buying insurance as an individual - if you can buy it at all.

 

The problem of health insurance is just part of the growing sad state of affairs in the USA under the incompetent George Bush and his entourage. I could almost forgive the election of this ignorant man once, but not twice. The increasing indifference to human suffering and death, whether soldiers or civilians, is breathtaking. And these people, in association with the Religious Right, have appointed themselves the guardians of moral authority. Astonishing.

 

Richard