How much is good health insurance for self-employed business owners?

Question

I am thinking about leaving the post office to start my own lawn business. I know I will be missing out on good health care and other benefits, but I will make at least $10,000 more a year in lawn service during a 6 month season. This does not include income from yard owners who needs maintenance during off seasons and starting other ventures like house cleaning.

If I decide to take this risk, how much must be set aside to cover personal health insurance for two dependants, 401k and etc. Also, what happens if I ever become disable or unable to work. Will I be able to withdrawal disabilty income that will match past earnings?

Thanks a million

Answer 1

Will you make 10,000 or 100,000 a year? 10grand a year is below poverty level.  That is a difficult question for anyone to awnser over the Internet.  Your premium would depend on how healthy  you are, and what is in your personal Medical Information Bureau.  

Your premium I imagine would be anwyhere from 350-500 per month. Research a Health Savings Account, it is practically a Medical IRA.  The one I have earns 6.25 Interest.

Answer 2

There is no one best company and with health insurance you get what you pay for.

With health insurance there is no "one size fits all". When you shop for a new car you have a choice between the basic low end model with no options, a fully loaded luxury car, or something in between. Health insurance is the same. If you shop for the cheapest you'll get the basic low end model which may or may not have the benefits and coverage you are looking for. Visit a local agent that works with all the major companies in your area. The agent can find the best plan for your situation and budget and can explain what you get and, more importantly, what you won't get with the plan. There is no extra charge using an agent.

Be very wary of medical discount cards. They are not regulated by the Department of Insurance nor do the people that sell them need to be licensed. This means you have little recourse when you have problems with the plan. If you are tempted by the low price and claims of “save up to 80%” be aware that very few doctors actually take these cards. It does you little good if you have to drive 4 hours to find a doctor that will accept the card. Montana couldn’t find any doctors in the whole state that actually took the card and only one dentist who was on probation for unlawful activities so they banned the sale of the card and fined the company. See this link http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/wes... for more information. Many other states are starting to ban these cards as well.

Before signing up with any discount plan get a list of doctors. If they won’t give you a list consider it to be a scam. Call the doctors on the list to make sure they’re still taking the card (many don’t even know that they’re listed as a provider) and that they’re accepting new patients.

You will need a disability policy to cover your income in case you can't work. The premium will depend on how much your annual income is and what percent of that amount you want each month if you can't work.

The 401K is a personal choice. The more you can put in the better. If you get an HSA qualified health plan you can also put money into the HSA account, which works just like an IRA except you can withdraw money for medical purposes as needed.

Answer 3

The average family health insurance plan costs $1200 a month.  Disability coverage would be through a private policy, rated based on your occupation and age - probably somewhere between $100 and $500 a month.  Workers comp, is based on payroll, but for your class of business, it would run you a minimum of $1500 or 20% of your payroll, whichever is HIGHER.  LIkely you'll need the workers comp before you can get health or disability coverage, as they won't want to pick up workers comp claims.

401K - or a SEP, whatever you want.  YOu can put as much or as little into it.