Hey Guys,

I've been out of the loop for quite some time. I was sick on and off for a long time and it turned out to be pneumonia, which really sucks when you're a single parent!!  I've acquired a whole lot of debt from hospital bills and in order to try and avoid this mess in the future (through fault of my own) I was wondering if anyone knew of some really affordable health insurance?  My daughters are covered through a state program based on a sliding scale with income, but they don't offer the same assistance for me.

I can't be the only entrepreneur in need of health care so I thought I would present this question for others to share their sources. 

Thanks & I missed you guys!
-Michele

Hello Michele,
Hope you're feeling better, sorry to hear that you were sick. Try this link, may it can be of some help; http://medhealthinsurance.com/bcbsflorida.htm
Also, talk to someone, maybe in the billing department, at the hospital you were at and see they will offer any type of assistance with your bill.  Before my husband and I got married he was hospitalized 6 weeks before our wedding for 30 days, the bill was a little over $100,000, but the hospital wiped out the charges and the only thing that we owed was some charges by the doctors.  I must admit I did a lot of praying and fasting for God to help provide a way.  Hope this helps.


Angel

Thanks angel, I'll look into it and see what kind of prices they offer. I just assume that Blue cross /blue shield will be expensive but ya never know, right?

Thanks!
-Michele

There are programs that will help with expenses. I slipped and fell last year and injured my arm. My doctor wanted an xray now (there is a place here that offers inexpensive xrays and other test, but they do not read the xrays immediately).

So I went to the hospital and had an xray, to the tune of close to $600.  But... I received a leter in the mail from a group who helps with expenses, telling me that they work with people with no insurance. 

ASK your hospital. They have all the information on hand, but often are not prone to offer it until asked.

I have been researching insurances and have not found anything I felt was anywhere near affordable ($400+ per month per person - $800 per month is not in our budget at all).
Best wishes.

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to throw this out to you....There are a few very affordable health programs, that are wonderful!
Here is one that covers everything you could imagine!     And the standard membership is only $84 / MO for your entire family!
http://www.healthsavingsonline.info
If you have any questions, let me know!
iabfreedomforlife@gmail.com

Just to give you an idea, an IAB membership includes:
- medical
- dental
- vision
- prescription
- chiropractic
- car rental
- hotel discounts
- amusement park discounts
- hospital stays
- and much, much more!

Hey Michele, it's great seeing you here, I've missed you.

I'm sorry to learn about the health problems you've been having, and the financial ones on top of that. You've gotten some really great replies here, which is something that I love about our community.

I was just reading in Writer's Digest a couple of days ago about health insurance plans for entrepreneurs, small business people, and creative types who work from home. That would definitely include what you do. I even thought about mentioning it here while I was reading it, since the information pertains to a lot of our members.

OK... I just found a link to the article online...

http://www.writersdigest.com/article/The_Healthy_Writer/


You could also try a Google search...

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22small+business%22+%22health+insurance%22

Good luck!

 

Ron G.

IAb is a medical discount plan, not really insurance, correct?
We have one of those which I am getting ready to cancel, because it does not benefit us.

IAB is a discount plan, but it also has insurance.  There are two parts to the membership.  You receive insurance benefits, and then discounts on top of that....I hope that makes sense!   
For instance, if you visit the doctor's office, depending on the membership plan you have, you will receive $50 - $75 reimbursed for each doctor visit.  Then, on top of that, you have an option of getting a discount on the remaining balance.
The dental side works the same way:  you get insurance reimbursements, and then the option of discounts within the network.

Sorry to hear about your pneumonia................ went thru that myself several months ago. These are some good suggestions above. I'm sorry I can't help you much. My Hospital being a county and being government funded has a department that will help you in paying your bills. They also help locate other available state funding programs that will assist you.

I hope you get things worked out. It can put a damper on things I know. Hope to talk soon.

Billy D.