One of the hardest questions to answer is –
What do I do about my family’s health insurance?
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs approach the topic of health insurance with a “head-in-the-sand” mentality. Health insurance can be confusing, and solutions are not always apparent. So, what is a self-employed business owner to do?
CHANGE YOUR MINDSET
Growing up, my dad used to tell me that “boring people find things to be boring.” What he was really trying to communicate is that my attitude affects my outcome. Rather than fall into the trap of negativity bred by confusion, determine that you will educate yourself. See health insurance as a problem to be solved, not an impossible task. There are solutions!
ACCEPT THAT THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GET THE JOB DONE
Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again, then expecting a different result. Nothing could describe the traditional health insurance market better! The answer to health insurance is seldom the same for everyone. Be open to new ideas and creative solutions. Just like an experienced realtor will tell you that there are no two real estate transactions alike, the same is true when solving health insurance problems.
DEVELOP A STRATEGY THAT WORKS FOR YOU
A strategy is key. Top real estate professionals are not successful by accident. They succeed because they develop, tweak, and work a winning strategy. So, what is your health insurance strategy? Quit shooting in the dark! Consider your budget. What kind of claims are you likely to face based on your family history and age-range? If you were to become ill, how or where would you want to treat? Have you considered that there may be federal subsidies available to you to help you purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act? Are there options available that are not on the exchange? Is concierge medicine a valid option for your primary doctoring needs? Will a share program work better in your situation than traditional health insurance? Look at the options, then blend them together into a strategy that works for you.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
Business owners who try to solve health insurance problems on their own are reminiscent of homeowners who try to sell their home without using a real estate professional. Yes, they might get lucky – even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally. But more often than not, they mess things up by not asking for professional help. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness; it is one of the first steps in solving a problem.
