Health Insurance for the Self Employed in California

If more self-employed individuals were aware of their health insurance options in California , the state's percentage of unemployed—20 percent and rising—would likely be somewhat lower. Health insurance for the self employed in California is costly and the self-employed around the nation generally have fewer health coverage options, particularly those who work as sole operators.

California in particular is vulnerable to rapidly rising health care costs. This increase has made the health insurance market more complex and challenging to navigate. A study by the California Healthcare Foundation noted that “activity in the price-sensitive small group and individual markets is of special interest, because these sectors are often the testing grounds for new benefit designs and cost-sharing trends.” This news is not necessarily positive for self-employed needing health insurance in California .

Improving the Quality of Health Insurance for the Self Employed in California

There is potential for improved health insurance and health care access for the self employed in California . The National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations ( www.nasro-co-op.com ) works in California to help “make affordable health insurance available for California residents.” Part of this effort includes a goal to “build our own co-op health insurance company so we can lower the cost of insurance for small employers and self-employed people.”

Kaiser Permanente California (www.kaiserinsurance.com)offers a guaranteed health insurance plan to anyone who is self-employed in California as long as a minimum of two people buy the plan (spouses are acceptable). One hundred percent of payments for self-employed health insurance premiums can be tax write-offs.

With this exception, the self-employed in California are only eligible to purchase small business health insurance if they employ at least one person. The single operator must purchase an individual health insurance plan, which can be costly at times. However, anyone who is self-employed and buys health insurance can deduct a percentage of premiums paid at tax time. They can also consider purchasing a national plan.

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