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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 18, 2007 Health plans: Going private will cost you more The Associated Press Q: Where can I find information on buying a health insurance plan if I don't have one with my employer? A: Because health insurance is administered differently in each state, a good starting place to find more information is the health or insurance department for the state where you live. Some states offer programs to the uninsured, such as the Family Health Plus program in New York state, allowing individuals or families with limited income to purchase their own plan. Alternatively, individual or family plans are offered at market rates through a number of national and regional carriers. Those looking for individual and family plans can also start their research at Web sites such as www.healthdecisions.org and http:www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/. Those who buy health insurance on their own tend to be relatively price sensitive since they absorb the entire cost of the plan themselves. Premiums vary by state and risk profile. A 2004 survey by the trade group America's Health Insurance Plans shows that individual annual premiums ranged from $1,885 in California to $6,048 in New Jersey. Ninety-four percent of the individual policies sold were on average less than $3,000. Nationwide, the survey showed annual premiums on average were $2,268 for individuals and $4,424 for families. Change is coming that may affect how not only freelance workers, but full-time employees, buy health insurance. Advertisement Freelancers Union founder Sara Horowitz said the rising cost of health insurance is contributing to the decline of the employer-sponsored system for health care. She predicts that a growing number of individuals will begin buying their own plans, leading to a "quintessential David and Goliath" problem where consumers have no buying power and no ombudsman to help them navigate their medical claims. That, Horowitz said, will lead to a reinvention of how we buy health insurance, with people grouping themselves together to increase their negotiating power and fund health advocates who help negotiate the claims process. "I think we're going to see a rise in these services over time," she said. On the Net: www.healthdecisions.org www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/ www.ahip.org/ www.freelancersunion.org/ www.nwuhealth.org/ Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary