I just spent quite a bit of time over the past couple of weeks dealing with the state programs, comparing private options, discounts from business chambers, etc... If you're within the income guidelines, the state-backed plans have great prices. The plans coming through an independent insurance broker for self-employed people are $700 and up (for plans for three people) -- and that's with the highest deductable. If you have a new business, and your income is within guidelines -- I think it's around $50,000 a year for a family of three -- then your health insurance is between $100 and $200 a month. If your business makes more money than that, you can always reinvest the excess in growing the company -- then you'll be able to afford the higher premiums in later years because your company will be bigger. :-) For example, you can hire advisers -- marketing advisers, outside sales people, contract help, or invest in technology, etc... Here's the table for MassHealth income guidelines: http://www.glcac.org/Program_files/MassHealth/MassHealth_Eligibility.htm If you're over these limits, Commonwealth Choice is one option: http://www.massresources.org/pages.cfm?contentID=85&pageID=13&Subpages=yes#eligible And there are also plans for small businesses, etc... I've found that the state staffers answering the phones have been extremely helpful, and would help you find the options that fit. -- Maria On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 4:27 PM, Stacy Kontrabecki <swampdancer at comcast.net>wrote: > ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area. > ** If you did, we all thank you. > > > Don't forget to apply for the Insurance Partnership to get assistance in > paying your & your employees monthly premiums. Tax advantages here, too, if > yu have employees. www.4ip.org > > Also, know the popular practice of paying your spouse-employee in health > insurance benefits/premium vs. dollars. Excellent tax advantage and less > expensive than buying a plan as as an individual since you usually can't > participate in your employee health plan if you are the business owner. Ask > your CPA how. > > Plus there's always the state organized but privater run health insurance > plans that are supposed to be more cost effective as the monthly premium is > based on household income. www.mahealthconnector.org > _______________________________________________ > Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net > Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net > > You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list. > If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members page > on the Hidden Tech Web site. > http://www.hidden-tech.net/members > -- -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Maria Trombly | TROMBLY LTD Covering Asian securities, payments and technology for the world's top trade magazines Work: 413-323-4356 | Cell: 413-559-9055 | maria at tromblyltd.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20080829/b00b03c9/attachment.htm