Reviewed by MICHAEL J BOYLE Fact checked by SUZANNE KVILHAUG If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance as part of an employee benefits program, you might want to consider purchasing your own coverage through a private health insurance company.
The amount that an individual or company pays to an insurance provider in exchange for coverage is known as a premium. Most people pay their health insurance premiums every month.
Typically, a portion of the insurance premiums are covered by employers who provide an employer-sponsored health insurance plan. You will be responsible for paying the full cost of the premiums if you need to insure yourself.
It’s common to worry about how much it will cost to get health insurance. However, depending on the level of coverage you require, you can choose from a variety of options and pay different prices.
The process of purchasing one’s own insurance is more involved than choosing a company plan and having monthly premium payments taken out of your paycheck. Here are some pointers to help you get started on buying your own health insurance.
Important takeaways: If you just turned 26, are unemployed or self-employed, working part time, starting a business with employees, or retired recently, you may need individual healthcare coverage.
The Health Insurance Marketplace, which was established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014, is a good option for obtaining insurance coverage if you do not have the option of enrolling in a health insurance plan that is sponsored by your employer.
You can enroll in Medicare with the option to add additional coverage through a private Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan if you are disabled or at least 65 years old.
