Part-time remote job for health insurance

[FB2020]

Hello All

This is my first post here, have been impressed by the wide variety of knowledge available.

My question is around health insurance. I maybe able to FIRE in a few years, but major concern is health insurance. I have a special needs child and I'd prefer to continue a group health insurance plan.. I know about COBRA that I could do for 18 months, but that comes with paying full price.

Basically I'm looking for some kind of job idea that I (or wife) could do remotely (at home). I don't mind getting paid less, but all I'm looking for is group health benefits without my having to pay full price for it.
I know its a semi-FIRE, but as long as we can work from home and being able to get benefits, we're okay.

We're into software/IT, but willing to do any job that allows 100% remote (e.g. customer service etc.).
So basically I'm looking for ideas for a proper job that's remote and provides benefits (salary could be anything).

Thanks!

[h82goslw]

I'll be in the same situation when comes time to FIRE.  Posting to follow.

[Bateaux]

Keeping health insurance for my cancer surviving son is a main reason I'm not retired today.  We have seven figures saved but a recurrence of his cancer would wipe that out quick.

[forummm]

The ACA was designed for people like you. You can get insurance no matter what. You don't need a job. And the risk pool for plans on the individual market is now statewide (or metro area wide depending on the plan and state). So it's like being in a group plan except the risk pool is actually better than a group plan. If you want specific providers to be in your network you may need to get one of the more expensive plans available since the cheaper ones tend to have smaller networks. I don't know what specific services you are looking for the plan to cover. You may need to shop around a little to make sure the plan has them.

Check out what's available on healthcare.gov
https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/

Now, if the ACA is repealed or significantly changed in the future, then who knows what your options will be.

[FB2020]

ForumMM:

Repeal is what I'm concerned about. Insurance companies seem to be losing money, and it can't last forever.

Something is gotta give.

[forummm]

Repeal is what I'm concerned about. Insurance companies seem to be losing money, and it can't last forever.

Something is gotta give.

The companies will make money. Premiums will just go higher. Repeal is only dependent on politics. The insurers made some miscalculations during initial ratesetting. And Republicans removed the risk corridor funding that was there to buffer those ratesetting risks during the first few years before we could know how expensive the initial set of enrollees were going to be.

[ReluctantMillennial]

There is a job board called FlexJobs.  They focus on unconventional working setup, like part time, temporary, flexible schedule, telecommute.  They do charge a fee for joining but all the jobs are screened and legit, and the fee is reasonable (I searched for a flexjobs coupon code online and managed to join for a year for about $15).  You might give that a try to see what's available.

[katsiki]

What about remote customer service or tech support?  Many companies have work at home call center positions.  Some require you to be in certain states.

[CanuckExpat]

A remote job with health insurance might be doable.. it's the part time part that's gonna be hard I think.
Find a full time remote job with good benefits, be super efficient and do it in "part-time" hours while working remote.. is that an option to consider?

[FB2020]

Good ideas everyone.. Thanks!

[FB2020]

Another option I sometimes think about is taking up a simple job anywhere (like a retail / office admin etc.) for a short period, lets say a month.

After a month you leave and continue with COBRA for 18 months, and then rinse and repeat.. any downside with this?

This is assuming ACA is not an option. Of course, if ACA continues, we can compare and choose the better one at the time.

[Frs1661]

Another option I sometimes think about is taking up a simple job anywhere (like a retail / office admin etc.) for a short period, lets say a month.

After a month you leave and continue with COBRA for 18 months, and then rinse and repeat.. any downside with this?

This is assuming ACA is not an option. Of course, if ACA continues, we can compare and choose the better one at the time.

With cobra you pay both your and your employer's portion of the premium,  so your per month cost is likely to be quite high compared to ACA marketplace plans with subsidy.

[Apple_Tango]

I saw a genius post on Facebook- colleges (even community colleges) sometimes offer student health insurance plans. So take a class :) painting, piano, underwater basket weaving, economics, chemistry...whatever. My favorite class in college was Self Defense :) And then sign up for the student health care plan. I’m not sure if you can put dependents on that? But something to look into!

[RedmondStash]

I saw a genius post on Facebook- colleges (even community colleges) sometimes offer student health insurance plans. So take a class :) painting, piano, underwater basket weaving, economics, chemistry...whatever. My favorite class in college was Self Defense :) And then sign up for the student health care plan. I’m not sure if you can put dependents on that? But something to look into!

Okay, this is really interesting. Any more info on it? Thanks for the idea.

[Apple_Tango]

You have to check with the specific college you are trying to take a class at, some don’t offer it. I believe all univeristies do. Here’s a link to the student health car plan at a university 10 miles from me https://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/schools/georgemason/sbc1718.pdf.

It seems ok- not the best coverage, but it also isn’t too expensive (single- $262 per month, single plus one child- $257/mo, family-515/mo)  since it’s designed for students.

[kanga1622]

Not all colleges offer health insurance for students. I work at a university veracity that doesn’t have any student health insurance plans. We refer them to the ACA if they can’t be covered by a spouse or parent plan.

[MMMarbleheader]

Not remote but most banks offer health insurance to pt workers