How to Join an Association & Get Group Health Insurance
Joining an association related to your profession can be beneficial for networking as well as keeping up to date with news and trends going on in your field. Another benefit for joining an association is the ability to get group health insurance. By getting health insurance through an association, you can get savings by lowered premiums from being covered as a group rather than as an individual. This can be an especially good option for persons who are self-employed.
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Things You'll Need
- A computer with Internet access
- Your health records for application information
Instructions
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Do an Internet search. You will want to research the kinds of associations and organizations that you would likely be able to become a member in. Think about your career, your hobbies, your volunteer interests, etc. If you are self employed, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) might be a good place to start.
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Find out more information about the specific association or organization. Get details about what is involved in becoming a member, whether you meet their criteria, and whether they offer group health insurance to their members.
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Consider the costs. You will want to consider the cost of joining (annual membership fees), along with the cost of group health insurance they offer.
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Submit an application for membership to an association once you have made a decision.
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Pay fees associated with the association membership.
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Choose the group health insurance plan offered by the association that best fits you and your family's needs. Consider not only the cost of premiums, but also the level of deductible each plan offers.
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Complete any necessary paperwork and medical documentation for application for group health insurance through the association.
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Maintain association membership for continuing group health insurance coverage.
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Tips & Warnings
Check with your state about whether they authorize group health insurance through associations. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) gives guidance about what kind of benefits and regulations should be given to group health insurance through association membership.
Association group health insurance is one of many options for getting affordable health insurance. Be sure to research all of your options for health insurance to ensure you are getting the best coverage for the best price.
References
- Photo Credit checklist of the public health service image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
