If you are self-employed, you know how expensive it is to have health insurance coverage.  It's available, but not at the same price that large businesses as they qualify for group rates. Small-business owners end up going without insurance because it's not affordable for them.  They end up settling for health coverage that is not that great.  God forbid they get injured, or develop a serious disease.  This could ruin their livelihood.

They can get COBRA insurance (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) if they leave a full-time job, but that only lasts for 18 months.  So what do they do after that?

They can investigate organizations that offer its members coverage at a group rate discount - such as The National Federation of Independent Businesses and the National Association for the Self-Employed. Take into account the cost of membership in addition to the insurance premiums.

They can take advantage of free health screenings at local clinics, hospitals or health fairs and itemize these deductions on their taxes.  They can try joining with other small business through the A.H.P. (Association Health Plans) to get deals from insurance companies.

Or they can join AmeriPlan - a discount club that offers savings on medical, dental, prescription drugs, and other health services with providers that are on the plan.  

Their are also organizations such as Working Today and the National Association for the Self-Employed.  The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is an excellent choice for the self-employed. The NASE is a nonprofit organization which provides big-business benefits to small businesses.  For more information, visit the association's web site at www.nase.org.