My husband’s insurance through work is $150 per month for him alone, but if we add myself and our daughter, the cost jumps to $1,000. Marketplace plans are also too expensive for us. Are there any other options we should consider?
Unfortunately, the best option is usually finding an employer with better benefits. It’s frustrating, but health insurance is a big part of compensation packages.
Have you checked if you qualify for Medicaid? Other than that, there aren’t many good alternatives.
Your options are pretty limited. There are healthcare sharing programs (usually run by religious groups), but they don’t offer the same protections as regular insurance. Then there are non-ACA-compliant plans, but those often have serious gaps in coverage. Your husband’s job-based plan is probably still the best deal.
Might be worth writing to your representative. Affordable healthcare should be a priority.
Sam said:
Might be worth writing to your representative. Affordable healthcare should be a priority.
They already passed the Affordable Care Act… /s
I hear you. Our family of four is paying $1,700 a month. No good alternatives so far.
Unfortunately, that price jump is normal when adding dependents. Insurance isn’t cheap.
Do you know what the plan covers? Sometimes the cost seems high because the employer doesn’t subsidize family coverage.
Yeah, a lot of employers help cover the employee’s premium but don’t contribute much for dependents.
One option would be for one of you to look for a job with better family coverage. Not easy, but sometimes that’s the best solution.
Check this out: The Affordable Care Act’s 'Family Glitch' Strikes Back | Institute for Family Studies
Honestly, the only real solution is finding a job at a bigger company with better family insurance rates.
I should add more context. I work part-time as a tutor and file taxes as a sole proprietor. I’m considering setting up an LLC. Could that open up any new insurance options for me?
Ori said:
I should add more context. I work part-time as a tutor and file taxes as a sole proprietor. I’m considering setting up an LLC. Could that open up any new insurance options for me?
Not really. Most group health insurance plans require multiple employees to qualify. I looked into it, and you usually need at least three unrelated employees.
@Milo
Some states allow two employees, but yeah, you typically need a small team to qualify for a group plan.
Nyle said:
@Milo
Some states allow two employees, but yeah, you typically need a small team to qualify for a group plan.
Someone told me you could start an LLC and get insurance through Costco. Not sure if that’s actually true.
Ori said:
I should add more context. I work part-time as a tutor and file taxes as a sole proprietor. I’m considering setting up an LLC. Could that open up any new insurance options for me?
Probably not. Your best bet is still looking at the marketplace plans.
Ori said:
I should add more context. I work part-time as a tutor and file taxes as a sole proprietor. I’m considering setting up an LLC. Could that open up any new insurance options for me?
One potential benefit is that insurance premiums could be a business expense, which might help a little tax-wise.
Do you only have one option on your husband’s plan?