How to Handle the Homework of Health Insurance

Gee, doesn't the preamble to this New York Times article about dealing with health insurance as a freelancer sound familiar?

OH, the glory of being your own boss: the freedom, the creativity, the jeans-only dress code. And then there’s the dreary stuff — like finding and paying for your own health insurance.

The article raises the issue of geography for independent contractors. As one expert in the story puts its, “When you’re self-employed, you’re straddling two distinct markets: the individual and the group market.” Those two markets, according to the article, vary depending on where you live. If you're self-employed and in the market for a new or upgraded health plan, you should learn about the rules in your state. (You can find a link to your state’s insurance department at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners site.)