This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Maintain health insurance whether you work for a traditional employer or not
If you’re like many people, one of the reasons you desire to work a traditional job is for the health benefits. It’s not a bad thing, the savings are astronomical – especially for the companies that pay 100%. However, this should never be why you have to get a job when you can cost-effectively obtain health insurance on your own.
I never want to be that person that needs to work a traditional job for the benefits; this is a major trap.
Dental & Vision Insurance
These two types of health insurance [dental and vision] are the cheapest. You can get both insurance types for less than $30 a month. Many people forget just how cheap these two insurance types are, which is one less thing to worry about. The bigger concern comes with health insurance; these plans usually run hundreds of dollars at a minimum.
Carry Your Own Health Insurance At All Times
I have a different mentality about health insurance now that I’ve been in the corporate world for several years: ALWAYS HAVE YOUR OWN SH*T.
Employers will never look out for you more than you look out for yourself. I recommend you always have your own insurance separate from company insurance.
If you ever leave a company, you never have to be concerned about not having health insurance because you have your own. It might cost most, but the good news is that you can typically write off your health expenses when you have your own business, which we all should at this point.
5 General Health Insurance Types
1. Cobra
Many corporate folks are familiar with this type of insurance. You’re often presented with the opportunity to partake of it after you lose your company benefits. Cobra insurance is the most expensive insurance offering and is usually for temporary purposes.
2. Company Group Insurance
Many employers offer group insurance. Some employees pay nothing out of pocket for these plans or very low premiums. These plans are costly for employers because the group plan price is always based on the least healthy employees at the company.
3. High Deductible Company Group Insurance
This plan is still expensive for employers since it’s based on the least healthy employees. However, this option offers lower premiums for employees. Choose this plan if you’re healthy.
4. Independent Individual Insurance
This plan is a great option that is very accessible. It offers low deductibles to its partakers, making it usually affordable
5. High Deductible Independent Individual Insurance
Believe it or not, high-deductible insurance is the cheapest and more cost-friendly for healthy individuals. The thing about paying lower premiums as a healthy individual means you’re often overpaying for healthcare you’re not even using. If you only go to the doctor for your annual checkups and never have issues, this could be an excellent option for you.
If you have an emergency fund, opt for this plan. You’ll save thousands of dollars in the long run, and this plan also incentivizes you to take more preventative measures for your health. The healthier you are, the less money you spend.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.