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The search for affordable health insurance for the population of self-employed is becoming very difficult. The most obvious choices are to enroll in the insurance plan of a spouse or continue to go without until an affordable plan is located. Regardless if The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act remains in effect or is eventually watered down and discontinued, the self-employed have very few choices for insurance coverage. The main options that are currently available are:

1. Searching with the help of a qualified insurance agent
2. An HSA or health savings account
3. If eligible, COBRA through a recent employer
4. Club memberships and affiliated associations
5. Self-employed insurance plans

A well-trained insurance agent will have connections to the various health insurance providers in your local area. He or she will have the ability to find an insurance policy to suit your specific qualifications much easier and in less time. However, beware of the insurance agent who tries to talk you into the most expensive insurance policy because that is an agent who is looking at the percentage he or she will receive as your policy is paid down.

A health savings account will offer you more flexibility to make important decisions regarding your health situation. You will have a much higher annual deductible with this type of insurance. You will also have the power of decision pertaining to your health choices.

The average monthly cost for health insurance through a recent employer’s COBRA insurance plan will offer you up to eighteen months of medical assistance. The cost of COBRA will be higher than your average insurance plan, but will still remain less than an individual insurance plan. This will also afford you continuous medical coverage that may be important when you have one or more pre-existing conditions.

The COBRA insurance plan can become very expensive, but it is an insurance plan to help you continue with your health care coverage requirements until you are able to find a more affordable insurance plan. Another often-disregarded form of insurance is through the various clubs and formal associations. These are groups that purchase insurance in large quantity for all participants, therefore reducing the cost to each individual.

Last, but not lease is the self-employed health insurance plans. These offer a value that most other insurance plans do not. The self-employed entrepreneurs are able to deduct the annual premiums on their Internal Revenue Service Form 1040 at the close of each fiscal year.