I’m planning to get into remodeling/handyman work on the Oregon Coast. Since I’ll be working for myself I’m going to need to find a good source for Health Insurance. Does anyone out there have information / leads on this kind of thing?
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HSAs are nice.
Had never even heard of these. I'll look into them. Thanks.
Friend of mine got a god deal through Coventry. You'll have to find a local broker though.
I'm self employed in a different industry. I've got a Unicare high deductible HSA. Low premiums ($300 a month for family of 5), high deductible ($10K flat), but maximum exposure ($10K) lower than low deductible plans (around $15K exposure) with premiums 2-3x this plan.
I sock away the difference in premiums into an HSA thus paying deductibles and other health relate costs tax advantaged. In addition, I can pay health expenses normally uncovered by most self employed health plans such as dental, eye care, hearing aids, etc. See this IRS form for qualified expenses.
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/index.html
The other advantage for me is that I can pay past medical expenses, which mounted under a previous plan, using the tax advantaged payments even though the charges came prior to starting an HSA.
It's worth looking into, especially if you're trying to keep premiums down.
Edited 8/9/2007 5:38 pm by pino
Thanks. Not only for the basic information, but also the great illustration of how it can work. Jeff
Check into your local NARI chapter, they have group programs for member remodelers
when I provided for myself and our family ... I researched every option I could think of.
builders assoc's and every thing else.
Best deal was going thru a local chamber of commerce.
joined as an "associated member" and got into their group.
this was 5 yrs ago ... real good family policy ... ran $600/month.
see if there is something called "Chamber Choice" in your area. Not sure the details ... but I called 5 different organizations ... got 5 different contact numbers to price out the insurances thru each one ...
and got the same girl's voicemail at all 5 different numbers!
so ... I simply asked her which one was cheapest apples to apples. She was cool and told me ... then I simply factored in the yearly dues and picked the best value.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa