How can you get affordable family health insurance if you are self-employed?

Small businesses make up a staggering amount of the United States' work force and most buy a self employed health insurance plan in order to have medical coverage for themselves and their families. Insurance companies know that you need coverage too, but it is much more difficult to connect insurance companies with small business owners and the self employed. If all else fails, you can get individual health insurance coverage, but there are a number of avenues you can take to find group coverage before resorting to more costly plans.

Check with the local Better Business Bureau to find out what other self-employed people are doing for health care insurance in your area. If you are a member of civic organization such as the Elk's Lodge or Lyons' Club, you may be able to get coverage through the organization. Other groups, including AAA and the AARP offer group insurance rates to members. Talk to other self employed people in your area and find out what they are doing for coverage.

As a last resort, most insurance companies will offer individual coverage plans. These generally cost more than a group insurance plan, but they are an alternative if other options don't pan out. Most people find out that they can join group health insurance plans through groups or organizations, and offers for group health coverage may even come from such unlikely places as credit card companies, or membership warehouses such as Costco or Sam's Club.

If you are not having any luck finding coverage as a self-employed person, contact the National Association of Health Underwriters (//nahu.org) and look through their database. The organization is intended to help everyone find health insurance, regardless of their employment or other conditions. References and other information are available for the general public, to better educate them and help them make the most of their health insurance.