Hello,

I have a question about the healthcare insurance in US.

I have heard that it is tied to your employment and the company provides for it.

So here are a couple of questions:

  1. Is there no way for an individual to get their own personal insurance and not be dependent on the company?

  2. What about freelancers, business owners and retirees? Do they forfeit their insurances?

  • Moohamin12English
    3·
    1 year ago

    So you get fined if you don’t take one of the slightly more expensive plans if you are a freelanced individual?

    • Sunbrrnslapper@vlemmy.netEnglish
      5·
      1 year ago

      Yes, because you would be without insurance. A person can buy insurance on an exchange and it is similar in price as employer sponsored insurance - you just have to pay all of it. Typically an employer pays for at least some of the insurance if it is a benefit they offer.

      It is worth noting that the fine is captured as part of a person’s taxes, so it can be a bit obvuscated. Although in typing this, I vaguely recall a SCOTUS ruling that said the fine wasn’t allowed.

      It is actually more wild than all of this even! Each state has additional rules/requirements beyond Obamacare. So what is covered in Washington State may not be covered in Texas.

      If you need help sorting through insurance, reach out to me - I’ve done a lot of it as a business owner with two special needs kids.

    • Frankelton@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Yes, when tax time comes around, and our government makes us file our own taxes (that’s a whole other can of worms) there’s a fine if we don’t get health insurance.

      The fine is less than if you are to pay out of pocket for insurance though, so a lot of people decide to eat the fine.