Top Healthcare and Insurance Insights All in One Place

Securing health insurance as a small business owner in the gig economy can be a unique challenge. Unlike traditional salaried positions that often provide comprehensive health benefits, gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed individuals must take the initiative to find suitable health coverage. In this blog post, we'll show you how to easily and affordably obtain health insurance tailored to your needs as a small business owner in the gig economy.

Understanding Your Role as a Small Business Owner:

You're not just an independent worker; you're also your own boss. This autonomy gives you the freedom to choose when, where, and how you work. However, it also means you're responsible for securing your own health insurance plan.

The Importance of Health Insurance for Small Business Owners:

Firstly, no one is immune to illness or injury, and having proper coverage ensures you can access medical care when needed. Secondly, proactive preventive care is crucial to maintain your health and productivity as a small business owner. In many cases, gig workers do not have access to the safety net of traditional employment, such as unemployment benefits, making health insurance a critical financial safeguard.

Streamlining the Health Insurance Selection Process with HealthBird:

Choosing the right health insurance plan can be overwhelming when you're a small business owner in the gig economy. However, HealthBird simplifies the process.

By downloading the app and answering a few questions, you can receive a curated list of insurance plans that align with your unique needs and budget. Our user-friendly platform takes the complexity out of the selection process, making it easier than ever to secure the coverage you require.

Financial Benefits of Health Insurance for Small Business Owners:

Depending on factors like your income and the number of dependents you have, you may qualify for reduced premiums through government subsidies, which we will calculate in a matter of seconds while you’re completing your application.

Additionally, as a self-employed individual, you may benefit from deducting your monthly insurance premiums on your federal taxes, helping you save money while staying protected, we recommend consulting your CPA.

Embrace the Opportunity: Enroll Today!

If you can navigate the challenges of being your own boss in the gig economy, you can certainly handle securing health insurance.

Take advantage of the free HealthBird platform today to start planning your next health insurance move and ensure your well-being as a small business owner in the gig economy.

In a perfect world, we’d never get sick. Preventative healthcare would keep all of us in amazing shape, and our immune systems would magically fight off every virus that comes our way. Sadly, getting sick happens, and plenty of us rely on prescription medication to stay well and protect our quality of life.

Medication is often costly, especially if you’re uninsured. Even if you are insured, health insurance plans don’t necessarily cover every medication, and paying full retail price is a more painful pill to swallow than the actual prescription! Instead of paying an arm and a leg just to keep all your arms and legs, try our free Rx card for instant savings.

The HealthBird Prescription Rx Card Offers Up to 90% Off!

An Rx card is a no-brainer for anyone who wants to save on medications. We are now bringing this fantastic benefit to all of our HealthBird members.

• Immediate access with no waiting time
• In-app digital card available 24/7
• Easy use at over 60,000 participating pharmacies
• Up to 90% savings on generic medications
• Discounts on all FDA-approved medications
• Discounts on some over-the-counter drugs

What doesn’t the Rx card include?

Membership fees, eligibility limits, or caps on usage. Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, or your current insurance doesn’t cover a specific medication, the prescription Rx card can help you save money at your next visit to the pharmacy.

Who can use our Rx cards?

If you’re a HealthBird member you will see the Rx card on your app. If you are not a member please contact Member Concierge for more information at hello@healthbird.com or (833) 384-2473

When it comes to health, everything is connected. It’s hard to take care of your physical health if you’re constantly anxious or depressed. On the flip side, it’s hard to have a positive mindset if you’re dealing with chronic pain or stressful medical conditions. This is especially true if you’re worried about the cost of getting the care you need. The good news is that health insurance makes caring for both your physical and mental health much more affordable.

Many mental and behavioral health services have to be covered

Insurance companies have some say over what they cover and to what degree. Some services, however, are defined by the US Health Care Department as essential health benefits.

All insurance providers are required to cover essential health benefits. The specifics vary by state, but essential benefits always include emergency services, maternity and newborn care, lab services, preventative care, pediatrics, prescription medication, and mental health services.

The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act passed in 2008, requiring coverage for mental health that’s comparable to physical health coverage.

Currently, essential mental health services include:

• Behavioral health services, like therapy and counseling
• Inpatient services
• Substance use treatment

Treatment for all mental health disorders, from anxiety and ADHD to bipolar depression, is covered. If you’re concerned about your dependence on substances, that’s covered too. Insurance companies are required to charge the same copay for office visits as those for medical or surgical office visits. They also can’t deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, you can still seek treatment as an adult and rest easy knowing you’ll be covered. Marketplace plans can’t add a cap on yearly or lifetime essential care costs, either. You’ll still have to meet your annual deductible first, but the rest of your care will be covered.

What are the limitations of mental health care coverage?

While insurance companies can’t enforce an annual cap on visits to a mental health professional, they’re still allowed to define what types of visits are considered “medically necessary.” For this reason, depending on the type of care you need, your insurance may only cover a certain number of mental health visits per month or year.

Similarly, while prescription medications are covered, you may still have to pay a certain percentage. HealthBird Rx card is a great, free resource to further reduce the cost of your next trip to the pharmacy. With insurance coverage and an Rx card in hand, most medications are affordable– much more affordable than the cost of paying out of pocket, or neglecting care until it’s a far more costly emergency.

How to use your insurance for mental health care services

Getting the care you need isn’t nearly as intimidating as it seems. Now, insurance providers often cover telehealth options so that members can talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist from the privacy of their own homes. To find out what services are covered by your current health insurance plan, review your plan’s policy guide or call your insurer’s customer service hotline for the details.

If you’re not insured or your old plan isn’t cutting it, you’re in luck. Open enrollment is the best time to enroll, so now is the perfect time to start weighing your options.

The HealthBird app is a great place to start. After you answer a few questions, you’ll have a list of quotes curated just for you. Look over the details of each plan in the running to see which one is the best fit for your care needs.

If you’re not sure which one is right for you, reach out to our 24/7 chat, and we’ll point you in the right direction. We’re feeling more relaxed just thinking about it!