Every employee within a company gets health insurance, and this is usually the responsibility of the employer or the company to provide their employees with valid health insurance. So, what if you are a freelancer or self-employed individual?
Finding health insurance as a freelancer will be challenging, and you may need to ask yourself various questions about its affordability and more. This article will provide you with all information regarding freelancer health insurance.
What is Health Insurance for freelancers?
Health insurance helps pay off a significant amount of the person's medical expenses. When you get health insurance, you can get treated in the registered hospitals in the UK (or your respective country).
With health insurance, you will be eligible to skip the NHS line. Furthermore, you will also receive the necessary treatment to help you overcome any challenges.
As a freelancer or self-employed individual, you must consider getting health insurance. One of the main reasons freelancers should get health insurance is that they are not entitled to any sick pay and need immediate medical attention to get back to work.
Therefore, choosing reliable health insurance can be highly beneficial.
Tips for Choosing Health Insurance as a Freelancer
The rate of premiums will keep fluctuating. Therefore, choosing health insurance that can prove beneficial is essential. Some of the common factors to consider while choosing health insurance include:
Choose policies that have a stable rate
The health insurance policies will keep on changing. With the rise in premium charges, the amount will increase too. This amount can, however, harm your pocket.
As a freelancer, you must choose health insurance that promises a stable rate, not a fluctuating one. A rate guarantee will ensure that the rate of the premium is fixed. Therefore, once you start the policy, there will be alterations in the rate.
Quality care
When choosing health insurance, you must check what treatment options they provide. Many health insurance companies provide the benefit of personalized treatment.
Irrespective of your location, these companies will benefit from choosing a treatment that can work in almost all hospitals. Therefore, you can use it to your benefit and make an informed decision accordingly.
Look for discounts
Freelancers have no guarantee about the flow of income. Although it is an excellent working option, you must be very careful. Today the business may be flourishing, but tomorrow it can go down.
It is advisable to look for policies that can offer you discounts, which will play an essential role in saving money.
Furthermore, some companies provide discounts on premiums for the following year if no claim is made this year. Therefore, look for such companies to help save money and time.
Know what your future needs are
When choosing health insurance as a freelancer, you must consider your future needs carefully. It would help if you didn't jump into buying health insurance no matter what your profession is.
Always make sure to assess your future needs and choose a policy accordingly. You should carefully review the policy terms and conditions, which will help you make a better decision.
Service
Always make sure to check if the company provides the right services or not. A reliable health insurance company should offer you 24*7 service so that you can access the claims easily.
What other types of insurance should a freelancer consider?
Apart from health insurance, a freelancer can also consider other types of insurance. These are mentioned below:
Check out a health insurance marketplace
A health insurance marketplace can be highly beneficial. These marketplaces are often divided into categories from which you can generate a lot of money, and you might as well apply for a subsidy.
Does your partner have health insurance?
If you have a partner, you can join their health insurance place. However, check if you are eligible to apply for your partner's workplace plan. You can contact the insurance company or human resource department for extra benefits.
Check out the association
A few professional groups, associations, and unions can help find the perfect plan. A freelancer's union may be the ideal place to get started. You can eventually save up money on these also.
Do you qualify for medical aid?
You must check whether or not you qualify for any medical aid. The government usually provides this for low-income individuals. Thus, you can make a choice accordingly.
How to Get Health Insurance as a Freelancer?
You must provide respective documents to the authorities to get approval for health insurance.
Since the health insurance company will be offering you a host of benefits, you need to show your statement of employment. You can produce documents related to tax returns and more.
It is advisable to compare all the options and provide them with the most relevant documents.
Best Health Insurance for Self-employed
Various companies are offering the benefit of health insurance for freelancers or self-employed. Some of them are listed below:
- Blue Cross BlueShield
- Cigna
- Oscar
- Molina Healthcare
- United Healthcare
Final Words
What company you choose for health insurance as a freelancer depends on your preferences. Every company is different and has something different to offer. As a freelancer, you must do your research to find the most effective option.
Make sure to check the company's reputation to make an informed decision.
We're reiterating that every country has different Health Insurance policies; our blog covers those applicable in the UK. Thus you're advised to go through your own country's freelancer health insurance policies before making any decision.
We hope our blog was able to clarify some of your confusion. Subscribe to our blog to receive constant information about freelancing in the UK and elsewhere.
FAQs
If you are self-employed, do you need health insurance?
Yes. Self-employed people or freelancers aren't entitled to any sick pay. Therefore, they need health insurance.
What are the benefits of having private health insurance when you are self-employed?
Having private health insurance as a freelancer would mean that you don't have to wait in the queue for weeks or months to get your treatment. You will get access to some of the best hospitals in the UK. Moreover, it will provide more benefits than the NHS alone.
Is private health insurance tax deductible for the self-employed?
If you are self-employed, the premiums for your health insurance will be deducted as a part of your business expense. As a result, it qualifies for tax relief.
What happens if I don't buy health insurance?
If you don't buy health insurance as a freelancer, you will not be eligible for sick pay.
What are the differences between buying health insurance through the marketplace and buying it directly from an insurance company?
When you buy health insurance from a marketplace, you can compare between different providers. It will help you understand the rates and work with the one that gives the best deal.
However, when you buy directly from the company, you will not be eligible for the benefit of comparison.
