Insurance for artists and jewelers?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi All,

So, now I am quitting my job that has been providing me and my
husband with health insurance. Anyone out there have suggestions for
group insurance for artists and jewelers?

Thanks,
Jennifer Friedman
enamelist, jewelry artisan, ceremonial silver
Ventura, CA

2

The Chicago Artist Coalition has group health insurance for members.
Blue Cross used to be one of the options, perhaps it still is.
http://www.caconline.org

The Society of American Silversmiths has insurance too.

I would also look into MJSA.
http://www.mjsainc.com

Don’t forget other, non-industry trade associations such as the
various ones for women business owners, etc. Those are options as
well.

Good luck! You’ll need it.
Elaine
Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com ™
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay

3 
    So, now I am quitting my job that has been providing me and my
husband with health insurance. Anyone out there have suggestions
for group insurance for artists and jewelers?

Jennifer,

Good luck, it’s scary for sure. I had excellent luck with
eHealthinsurance.com for lots of choices.

It’s been written up in most of the major daily newspapers and in
Time magazine; it’s not a fly-by-night internet scam. They have been
excellent in customer service.

It’s just me and my husband, and we chose a high-deductible plan
($5K) with a Health Savings Account - so I pay $200 a month for the
premium and I put at least $1-200 a month into the H S A, which rolls
over every year now and when I reach 55, can be converted to an IRA.
All the funds in the H S A are tax-deferred; you only pay tax on what
you disperse.

This works for us as we’re very healthy and only visit doctors 1x a
year or so. I like it 'cause I get to keep my own money; if something
big happens, I have the deductible amount in the H S A but if I don’t
need it, it accrues bigtime. Nice to know some insurance schmuck
isn’t getting his third home in Antigua on my dime.

Roseann