The Time Freedom Podcast

But What About Health Insurance?

Episode Summary

Today on the podcast, Brian and Kirby open with a hard number: 23 million Americans are stuck in jobs they want to leave, not for the paycheck, but for the health insurance. From there, Brian walks through his own decade-long path to coverage: COBRA, a startup's small business plan, and eventually the Affordable Care Act. Then, he breaks down fourteen options you should consider to get the health coverage you need. Health insurance should not be the reason you're stuck in a job you hate.

Episode Notes

Today on the podcast, Brian and Kirby open with a hard number: 23 million Americans are stuck in jobs they want to leave, not for the paycheck, but for the health insurance. From there, Brian walks through his own decade-long path to coverage: COBRA, a startup's small business plan, and eventually the Affordable Care Act. Then, he breaks down fourteen options you should consider to get the health coverage you need. Health insurance should not be the reason you're stuck in a job you hate.

➡️ Get the Healthcare Options Guide: http://timefreedom.life/resources 

➡️ Buy Time Freedom, the book: https://amzn.to/4qP14rE

In this episode... Brian opens with a Gallup stat on how many Americans stay in jobs purely for the health coverage, then shares his own healthcare journey from before the Affordable Care Act through starting his business in 2017. He and Kirby break down the difference between "can I get coverage" and "can I afford it," then Brian runs through fourteen options grouped into five categories: plans most people can get, bridge and transition options, group and association routes, lower-cost alternative models, and special situations like Medicaid and international care.

Top 5 Takeaways:

  1. Healthcare, not money, is what traps too many people. A recent Gallup poll found 23 million Americans stay in jobs they want to leave purely for the health coverage, not the paycheck.
  2. Coverage and cost are two separate problems. Solve whether you can get covered first. Affordability is a budgeting question once you know coverage exists.
  3. Brian went nearly a decade without a "normal" plan. COBRA, California's extended Cal-COBRA, a small business plan tied to his software startup, and eventually an ACA small business plan all covered him at different points after he left corporate in 2017.
  4. HSAs work like a second retirement account. Unlike an FSA, unused HSA funds roll over and grow tax-free. Kirby had two years of deductibles saved before having kids just by treating it that way.
  5. There are more options than most people realize. From Costco-style group plans to healthcare sharing ministries to state programs for genetic conditions, Brian counts fourteen different paths to getting health insurance.

Chapters:

Chapters

00:00 Healthcare Challenges for Self-Employed
01:50 Statistics on Healthcare and Job Satisfaction
03:52 Personal Stories of Healthcare Decisions
08:04 Legislative Impact on Healthcare Options
11:50 Different Healthcare Coverage Strategies
20:00 Special Situations and Unique Healthcare Solutions
34:08 Resources and Next Steps for Healthcare Planning

If you've been meaning to grab a copy of Brian's book Time Freedom, now's the time! Order now and you're book will be delivered in just one week!