Читать книгу Start & Run a Creative Services Business - Susan Kirkland - Страница 35

My worst nightmare became reality when I hurt my back. I had been freelancing for about three years, but still hadn’t accumulated enough regular work to buy health insurance. Besides, I had jobs with design studios and small companies at various times during my career that didn’t provide employee benefits, so it wasn’t something I missed. It’s a common occurrence in the commercial art industry; margins are so tight, many employers simply cannot meet the rent, pay the salaries, and offer a competitive benefit package. Freelance teaches you a deep appreciation for employee benefits, but perhaps not enough to give up freedom (yes, put on your best Mel Gibson blue face, thank you).

A client, who also happened to be a nurse, took pity on me; actually, I think she was more interested in getting her projects completed. She got me in to see a well known back doctor who examined my films. “Yes, I think I can help you ... in fact, I can relieve that pain in less than five minutes, but not today. You come and see me when you have health insurance.” He patted me on the back as he pushed me out of his office, bent over, limping, tears in my eyes from the pain shooting down my right leg to my toes.

Eventually, I went to the public hospital and waited for more than 12 hours to see a doctor. During that time, an orderly demanded my gurney because he needed it for a more serious injury until I promised to lie on the floor if he took it.

If you can spare yourself the economic inequities of not getting proper health care, here are some important tips about finding employee benefits for yourself. If worst comes to worst and you don’t have enough regular work to support a health plan, free clinics still exist. You can find a free clinic in your area here: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov by typing in your address. In most cases, clinics are free or charge a small fee, sometimes on a sliding scale. You may not get the help you need, but chances are they will be able to refer you to someone who can help. Community-based organizations have vast connections in all areas of human need. Don’t be proud.

First, decide what’s most important to you. If you want to keep costs low and are relatively young and healthy, choose coverage with a low monthly payment and a high deductible. Or just buy major medical; you’ll want just enough to cover you in case of emergencies. If you want a plan that reduces the cost of doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and has a low deductible, don’t be shocked at the cost. You will get more complete coverage with a stable company like Humana who also offer codicils (little amendments they attach to bigger things like vision and dental). That can be a handy thing if you have a sweet tooth like me.

Here are a few places to start looking; take some time to sit down and appraise your needs, your family’s needs and existing conditions or potential hereditary diseases. Remember that prices are limited by legislation, so determining factors like deductibles and coverage limits will be key to finding a monthly payment you can live with. A good thing is that all health care costs are 100 percent deductible on your income taxes, so it’s not all bad. Verify this information here: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0,,id=181005,00.HTML.

You don’t have to make any more bad investments to have a decent tax write-off (you fat cat, you). Remember, if the monthly cost is too good to be true, you’ve either got a super high deductible or the coverage is extremely limited. Pay close attention to what’s covered and what’s not; especially pre-existing conditions or stuff hidden in your genes. You might not have it yet, but if Mom and Dad both had it, chances are good that it’s in your future, too.

A few ways to keep costs down:

• If you don’t go to the doctor more than once a year, consider carrying only major medical for emergencies.

• Check with design trade and professional associations to see if they have a group plan. Even joining a group like the National Business Association of America will help provide group rates around $500 per month for a family of four with $10 co-pays. Rates will be lower and coverage will be guaranteed on pre-existing conditions if you are part of a group. Now here’s something an AIGA membership should offer our community, but doesn’t.

• Shop online. Insurance companies pay fewer broker fees when you deal direct.

• Find out if you’re eligible to use a medical savings account (MSA).

The US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) makes certain allowances for the self-employed. This lets you enjoy benefits from a higher deductible insurance policy (with reduced premiums) and use pre-tax dollars to pay for expenses up to your deductible limit.

If you can’t find health insurance in the US because of a pre-existing condition, the HIPAA may help you obtain it. This site will help you find out if you live in one of 34 states who have some form of risk pool: http://www.healthinsurance.org/risk_pools. You can also find additional information here: http://www.selfemployedcountry.org/main.HTML

It’s pretty hard to find a deal, but I’ve located some good places to start looking.

• https://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm

• https://www.insureme.com

• http://www.insurancevalues.com

• https://www.ehealthinsurance.com

• http://www.alliedquotes.com

• http://www.healthinsurancefinders.com

If worst comes to worst and you find yourself in a hospital emergency room without insurance, remember (even if they don’t) that you are a human being and have a right to your dignity. Spit back if necessary, but don’t give up your gurney.

1. Judith Martin, Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruiciatingly Correct Behavior. (New York: Warner Books, 1983), 509