Health Insurance options for writers?

[scotcmorgan]

Anyone have a good lead on health insurance for writers? In my case, I need to cover my family too. I'm aware of the three national med-share options and of course the regular options, the latter of which can be quiet pricey for someone not buying with the buying power of a large company on their side.

I'm looking into the different writing organizations to see if any of them offer something, and something decent. Not sure yet.

What do any of the full-time writers on here do?

Thanks for any suggestions/leads.

[update] I'm looking through the links on this page. Still hope some of you have something good already going you can tell me about though. https://pen.org/health-insurance-for-writers/

[ilamont]

I got this from IBPA last week:

In April 2018, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) began working in conjunction with eight other book industry associations in an attempt to identify options for association-sponsored health insurance/coverage that could serve our collective memberships. The associations working on this project include:

* American Booksellers Association
* American Society for Indexing
* Association of Authors Representatives
* Authors Guild
* Book Industry Study Group
* Children’s Book Council
* Independent Book Publishers Association
* PubWest
* Science Fiction Fantasy Writers of America

Other associations are considering the project and may be added at a later date.

They are still at the information-gathering stage so there is nothing available right now.

An option that I've heard talked about but don't know how widely it's used is insurance through the Freelancers' Union. I don't know what the requirements are, or if it's limited to a handful of states.
 

[LilyBLily]

Is the ACA not an option for you? The subsidies have gone up this year to match the insurers' increases. Here's the link to the Kaiser Foundation data on what incomes qualify.

https://www.kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/aca-open-enrollment-if-you-are-low-income/

[scotcmorgan]

Thanks, LilyBLily and ilamont.

ACA isn't an option for me. My book income for next year will be over the limit.

The IBPA et al discussions on a cooperative effort sound promising. I'll follow that and see if it materializes. Checking the Freelancers' Union lead too. Thanks.

[LilyBLily]

Thanks, LilyBLily and ilamont.

ACA isn't an option for me. My book income for next year will be over the limit.

The IBPA et al discussions on a cooperative effort sound promising. I'll follow that and see if it materializes. Checking the Freelancers' Union lead too. Thanks.

I hope when you're considering net taxable income that you have an excellent accountant who knows all about deducting your healthcare premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses (including family coverage) from your writing profits. There is no upper limit that I know of other than your total net income less self-employment tax. I haven't heard that this part of the law has changed. The deduction might take some of the curse off the cost of insurance.

[scotcmorgan]

Thanks again. I'll look more closely at the below.

I hope when you're considering net taxable income that you have an excellent accountant who knows all about deducting your healthcare premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses (including family coverage) from your writing profits. There is no upper limit that I know of other than your total net income less self-employment tax. I haven't heard that this part of the law has changed. The deduction might take some of the curse off the cost of insurance.

[Wonder]

Thanks, LilyBLily and ilamont.

ACA isn't an option for me. My book income for next year will be over the limit.

The IBPA et al discussions on a cooperative effort sound promising. I'll follow that and see if it materializes. Checking the Freelancers' Union lead too. Thanks.

Income isn't a disqualifier for purchasing an ACA plan. While it's true that there are subsidies for lower incomes (and that premiums can be high if you don't qualify for a subsidy), income shouldn't be a barrier.

My household pays full freight for an unsubsidized ACA plan. ($600/mo for 2 adults) If you find a writers org with other good options please let us know! I'd be curious to hear.

Wonder

[scotcmorgan]

Thanks, Wonder. Yes, of course I'll share what I find if I find anything better.

Thanks, LilyBLily and ilamont.

ACA isn't an option for me. My book income for next year will be over the limit.

The IBPA et al discussions on a cooperative effort sound promising. I'll follow that and see if it materializes. Checking the Freelancers' Union lead too. Thanks.

Income isn't a disqualifier for purchasing an ACA plan. While it's true that there are subsidies for lower incomes (and that premiums can be high if you don't qualify for a subsidy), income shouldn't be a barrier.

My household pays full freight for an unsubsidized ACA plan. ($600/mo for 2 adults) If you find a writers org with other good options please let us know! I'd be curious to hear.

Wonder

[M R M]

Wow, 600 a month? Coming from a nation with free healthcare, that looks like highway robbery to me! Why aren't you all out with torches and pitchforks sacking the headquarters of those responsible?

[LilyBLily]

Wow, 600 a month? Coming from a nation with free healthcare, that looks like highway robbery to me! Why aren't you all out with torches and pitchforks sacking the headquarters of those responsible?

Because $600 a month is a bargain compared to the $1,400 a month I pay for just one person.

This is America. We're all supposed to become rich through hard work, good luck, and blah, blah, blah. If you're poor, it's your fault. Also, if you're sick. A whole lot of our elected representatives (who all get very, very good medical insurance by virtue of their jobs) apparently want many of us to die in gutters.