Non-Employer/Independent Healthcare in New York
As an independent contractor, I do not have the ability to get insurance through an employer. I've used the New York healthcare marketplace for three years, but the costs are increasing 25% each year. We switched from BCBS to Independent Health to save a little money, but now we received a letter saying it's going to increase from $1,350/mo to $1,850 in 2025.
My household (2 parents and a child) combined income is just out of tax break range ($103k or so), but the monthly costs are destroying us financially. We have zero medical bills, but I have an extreme fear of going uninsured due to seeing the 8 years my mother suffered with cancer, or simply a fear of getting hit by a car, etc, and going bankrupt overnight.
Our current plan is the lowest possible coverage: Bronze with a $9,000 per person deductible, which also has increased by at least $1,000 every year. We have no medical issues at all and haven't claimed more than a few hundred in any year… ever.
What options do I have? Not to be melodramatic, but I don't see how it's possible to continue living in the US and raise a family that's healthy. I've worked 60 hours a week for 10 years to get my income to where it is, and it's still constantly under threat due to the industry I'm in. I just want to know my family is safe if a medical issue comes up, but $1,850 per month is more than rent for our entire house.
I tried getting healthcare coverage just for my wife and child, but was told I wasn't allowed to. It's either just for my kid or for the family.
Summary: my income can't keep up with the absolute minimum viable healthcare plan, but it's not low enough for tax credits.
Does anyone have any advice for an independent contractor in New York? Some kind of law or program that could help?
submitted by /u/abigporkchop
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