There are many options for an individual to obtain affordable health insurance coverage. Keep in mind that there are savings in number; the more people in a plan, the better the savings for each member.
In some states, such as Florida, you can purchase group policies for a group of one person. Some states allow a two-person policy to receive a group rate. If you are a sole proprietor and your spouse helps you with tasks such as bookkeeping, filing, or mailings, you may be able to claim them as an employee and qualify for the group rate.
Another option for the self-employed is the National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE). NASE offers self-employed individuals the choice to deduct 100% of their medical premiums and 100% of their uninsured medical expenses from state, federal, and self-employed taxes through a program called 105 HFR.
If you're not in a business, don't despair. You may be able to take advantage of the lower premiums associated with group plans by joining an organization such as a professional association or alumni association. For example, as a writer, I might choose to join a fellowship group aimed at helping writers get discounted health insurance. Groups such as ASJA American Society of Journalists and Authors.
Fitness instructors can choose to participate in the health insurance program offered by IDEA, an organization of health and fitness professionals. Pregnant women can join the American Pregnancy Association which offers both government-funded programs and discount health programs such as MaternityCard AmeriPlan.
Because association health plans are not subject to the various state regulations that group health plans are subject to, they are able to offer less expensive insurance coverage. Keep in mind, however, that an association health plan is different from a group health plan in that the association doesn't have to offer the same premium for every member.
