eHealthInsurance is a Great Free Resource to Find Affordable Health Insurance
By Michael Pollock in Reviews
Health insurance; it’s something almost every solopreneur has to deal with at some point. I don’t know about you, but I’d just as soon avoid dealing with it at all. To me, it feels like just another expense I don’t need, especially when I hit a lean month now and again. Also, I’m not a big fan of insurance people. It’s not so much the people that bug me. It’s the process. I really don’t care for the paperwork and inevitable health questions you have to answer. I think if it were just me, I wouldn’t pay much attention to it, but I have my daughter to consider as well. Although she’s very healthy, I hate the thought of her going without insurance; just in case. So, it was a huge relief when I discovered eHealthInsurance
a few months ago.
Here’s what I really loved about it:
- You can compare and find the best prices for health insurance
- all you do is enter some basic information, and they provide a list of the leading health insurance providers for your needs. You can also compare the specific policies against each other in language that’s easy to understand.
- I trust them - although I didn’t research it too thoroughly, they’re apparently the largest health insurance broker in the U.S.
- They give plenty of choices - it’s not like they give you just 2 or 3 options. When I did it, they gave me about 2 dozen options, and then you can pick several from that list that you’d like to compare in more detail.
- No commitment to search and compare - most of the online services I looked at wanted some personal information before they’d let you have any information. All they ask for on this site is your zip code, date of birth and whether you’ve used tobacco or not. No health questions and no insurance agent asking you what diseases you may have had in the last 5 years.
- You can apply right then and there if you want.
- I’m into immediate gratification, so that one is near and dear to my heart.
- Best of all, it’s free - the search and comparison is free. If you do buy insurance through them, obviously you’ll have to pay for that, but they receive a commission from the health insurance company. Not you.
And it’s not only health insurance they offer. Here’s a run-down of the full line that’s available through them:
- Individual and Family Health Insurance Plans
- Small Business/Group Health Insurance Plans
- Short-Term Health Insurance Plans
- Student Health Insurance Plans
- Dental Insurance Plans
- Health Savings Accounts
I was hoping they offered life insurance too, but I guess you can’t have everything. All-in-all, it’s really an invaluable service for the self-sufficient, savvy solopreneur. Add eHealthInsurance to your list of bookmarks.
On Oct 30, 2006, Steven James said:
Hey Michael, nice stuff to read and gage some understanding of the various options available in the insurance market. Yesterday, while browsing on bills.com,I came across something known as Indemnity Health Insurance. Sounded useful, especially for business travellers who keep travelling constantly.
On Oct 30, 2006, Braddy said:
Great stuff man … keep up the good work goin :)
On Jan 10, 2007, Mark Capuano said:
Great article. I’d like to add my two pennies. I’ve been in the health insurance business for nearly 30 years as both a consultant and insurance company representative. Several years ago, I held a position of Director of Managed Care in Southern Ohio for a small Hosptial based PHO (Physician Hospital Organization). During my two years there, I discovered some startling truths, especially in South Central and South Eastern Ohio as well as in Kentucky and Indiana. In 1998, there were more than 400,000 people in Ohio alone working full-time without any employer sponsored health insurance plan. Fast forward to 1007 and that number is nearly 1.5 x larger and it’s getting worse! I was asked back then by my employer to come up with a solution and 9 years later (after having changed jobs 4 times in that time period) I have finally gotten “MiniHealth” off the ground. Our website is still under construction, but the plan is ready. MiniHealth addresses the fundamental needs of 95% of the working uninsured - PCP, OB/GYN and Pediatric Care; heavily favoring low copays, low deductibles, and low coinsurance for such basic care along with preventive benefits. While there are many benefits for an employer to offer MiniHealth to a group of employees who otherwise would go without, the most attractive feature is the “cash-back” feature! If you’re a small employer of 30 or more employees and you want to offer an affordable group health plan, albeit limited, that will help you lower your turn over costs by retaining your employees, help keep them healthier, and have a cash-back offer, then MiniHealth may be a plan that will fit your needs. Contact me for more information on MiniHealth.
On Feb 6, 2007, Cory Kemp said:
Hey Michael,
I think another option that your visitors may want to explore is: discount dental plans. They are alternatives to dental insurance and virtually hassle-free. Most don’t require extensive paperwork - the kind you despise it sounds like. For some folks, discount dental plans are better options. You can find information all over the web about them.
On Apr 22, 2007, Alvin said:
Its very good of eHealthInsurance to allow you to compare prices before getting insured. Makes you feel that you are paying for the right price. Great service.
On Oct 31, 2007, Evam said:
Nice summary of all the options for insurance.
On Dec 3, 2007, Steve said:
Hey Michael —
Any cons?
How is their turnaround time? I searched for reviews on them and most people said they were good, but really slow.
Any thoughts on that experience?
Thanks.
On Dec 3, 2007, Michael Pollock said:
Steve:
It’s been 2 years since I dealt with them, but at the time, their response
was pretty speedy. And I have a low tolerance for delay.
Best - Michael
On Dec 10, 2007, Dental Insurance Agent said:
e-health insurance is a good company. I know many people who use them for their dental.