Healthcare…we’ll see – Blogging out of debt Blogging out of debt

By hope

Ashley’s post about the 2025 open enrollment season reminded me that I planned to take a look at health care options when it opened. I think it’s time.

I have to be honest, I worked through it healthcare.gov I visited the site several times and found nothing useful. First, the coverage options it offers me are mostly from unknown sources. Secondly, when I check them through their websites, it is impossible to find providers anywhere near me. So what’s the point?

Secondly, I don’t understand the whole thing, this is what it will cost, this is what it will cost you (based on income, I think) and then there is a whole section for tax related costs. Can someone explain it to me like I’m five years old? Because I don’t understand.

With variable income

Since my income as a contractor fluctuates wildly from month to month, let alone year to year, I’m always hesitant to take on something at the “low income” point for fear of repercussions when my income increases and it takes a toll. And then, vice versa, take something as a high income season, and then my income goes down and I’m stuck with an obligation that I can’t fulfill.

A few months ago, I contacted a health insurance brokerage, for lack of a better term, and they did the same thing I do…go to the government health care website and read me the options. Maybe I should try them again. But I would feel more comfortable having a better understanding of the financial and tax ramifications of being self-employed with variable income.

Are there any experts on this in the BAD community who can explain it to me like I’m five years old?

My father suggested that the state of Georgia institute some other health care measures. (He still gets his home city papers, so he’s always telling me things I don’t know.) I did a quick Google search at the time but couldn’t find anything.

Does anyone know anything specific about Georgia’s latest initiative?

Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager who helps clients grow their businesses and operate more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, and technology solutions. She has recently become an empty nester as her five foster/adopted children spread their wings. She lives with her three dogs in a small town in northeast Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She has the travel bug and does her best to help each of her children finish school and become independent (but it’s hard!) She’s been running her own consulting company for nearly twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the spring of 2015, and feels like she’s finally in a place that allows her to truly focus on making wise financial decisions.