| The ability to obtain health insurance, for the | | | | companies. |
| self-employed, in the state of New York is | | | | Another option as the self-employed individual, is to |
| determined by what group, sometimes referred to | | | | join a group or business association, that, allows you, |
| as a pool or marketplace, you, as an individual, fall | | | | as a member, the opportunity to apply for group |
| into. | | | | insurance as a member of this organization. The |
| Because New York State uses a rating system that | | | | organizations charge a fee to become a member. |
| uses a community base, rather than an individual base | | | | One example of this type of organization is the |
| to determine your rating, you will fall into one of four | | | | freelancers union. This group also advocates for self |
| categories. You will be either classified as an individual, | | | | employed workers in areas of health insurance, tax |
| self employed, working in a small company of 50 or | | | | relief, and other benefits generally available to |
| less employees, for a large company with 50 or more | | | | workers employed in larger companies. |
| employees. | | | | Another factor that affects, to some degree, the |
| Within the self-employed category, there are typically | | | | cost of group health insurance is that not all insurance |
| two options. The first is to seek insurance individually | | | | companies are required to offer group insurance to |
| from an insurance company. This option, for most | | | | these associations. Among those who do, are |
| self-employed people, is cost prohibitive. Although | | | | Atlantis, GHI (an Emblem Health Company), the |
| insurance companies in New York State are required | | | | PerfectHealth insurance company, HIP( an Emblem |
| to offer health insurance to all who apply, they are | | | | Health Comany), Empire, and Oxford. |
| free within limits to set the rate, or premium, that | | | | In addition to all the above restrictions not all |
| they as a company, believe is reasonable. Based on all | | | | companies are available to self-employed workers in |
| the factors that affect the costs of health insurance, | | | | all counties. Some excellent web sites are available to |
| and the company's inability to assess you, as an | | | | assist the self-employed worker to find the right |
| individual, even one in perfect health, the company's | | | | health insurance plan. To begin the search for a health |
| are forced to give you a price quote that would be | | | | insurance plan that best suits you, go to Vista Health |
| comparable to a person in ill health. This is not a | | | | Solutions. |
| factor that is within the control of the insurance | | | | |