Individuals and Families

Why Buy My Own?

Employer coverage ends if you become ill and lose your job. Once you obtain your own individual or family policy, you can renew until age 65 (Medicare) and your premium cannot generally be increased due to illness or claims history. Premiums will rise with age and general medical inflation. Policies for healthy families are 1/3 to 1/2 the price of employer coverage. Compare Quotes Online!

Why High Deductible?

Choosing a traditional co-pay plan or a low deductible often costs you more in premiums than you save on doctor's visits. High-deductible plans save you money every year while still providing safety against medical bankruptcy.

What If I'm Seriously Ill?

All 50 states now offer some form of guaranteed-issue health insurance. If you or a member of your family has a serious preexisting health condition, you can apply for membership in the State Risk Pool, saving you thousands or tens of thousands each year.

Testimonials

Read how Zane Benefits has helped other individuals and families.

In the News

What To Do If You Are Self-Employed

Forbes

"The solution for healthy self-employed individuals is simple, according to author Paul Zane Pilzer. These folks should buy a high-deductible individual or family policy that is qualified to be paired with a health savings account, he says."

Insuring Yourself

NewsWeek

"In his latest book, The New Health Insurance Solution, published in September by John Wiley & Sons, Pilzer argues that most Americans—at least, those without preexisting conditions—can save money by choosing individual policies over those offered by their employers."

When To Choose An HSA

Wall Street Journal

"The real question for those considering an HSA is: 'Do I want a high-deductible health insurance plan?' says Paul Zane Pilzer."

CBN: The 700 Club with Pat Robertson

CBN

"Most people don't understand Cobra. For example, when you're fired or quit, you're entitled under federal law to the equivalent of three-and-a-half months of free Cobra. But your employer doesn't tell you about this."

Getting Cheaper Health Coverage

NY Daily News

"Paul Zane Pilzer offers living proof that even economists can have trouble finding good health insurance. He's since authored the book...And now, he's among those championing a Congressional bill, the Health Care Choice Act, which would allow individual health insurance to be sold across state lines."

The New Health Insurance Solution

Soundview

"The New Health Insurance Solution explains in layman's terms how readers can save money, and teaches them the most important aspects of the economics of health insurance."

What If You Lose Your Health Insurance?

Consumer Reports

"Surprise! You can find affordable health insurance on your own. Compared with employer-sponsored coverage, 'individual policies that you purchase yourself are half the price or less for the same coverage—if you're healthy,' says Paul Zane Pilzer."

Paul Zane Pilzer Debunks Health Insurance Myths

HealthSavings News

"One of the most common myths is that individual plans are twice the price of employer-sponsored plans. In fact, individual plans for healthy families are typically half the price of employer-sponsored plans. Most employers don't want you to know this because if your spouse is healthy the employer would not collect the premium."

What If I Have a Serious Preexisting Condition?

39 million Americans receive Medicaid (low income), 47 million Americans receive Medicare (seniority), and now all states have state-guaranteed coverage for people with preexisting medical conditions—regardless of their level of income.

State-guaranteed coverage is typically the same BlueCross BlueShield type coverage you'd purchase yourself, except the state pays your carrier for any losses.

How Do I Qualify?

In 40 states, the only qualification is having been rejected or uprated (charged more) by a private insurance carrier, or in some states just having a letter from a licensed agent stating that this would occur if you applied.

State-guaranteed coverage is not for poor people—it typically costs per person 100%-150% more than regular coverage, but only for the family member with the illness—so a typical family pays only 25%-40% more for all family members combined.

State-guaranteed health insurance can be the bargain of a lifetime if you are very ill—an annual premium of $3,600 a year can get you $100,000 a year or more in health benefits.

Why Do I Have To Pay More?

If you had purchased an individual/family policy before your family member developed their preexisting condition, you wouldn't need expensive state-guaranteed coverage. Get your other healthy family members their own policy now before something happens to their health—individual high-deductible policies cost less than $90/month in most states.

Do not wait if you need state-guaranteed coverage—virtually all states have a 12-month waiting period before covering preexisting conditions, unless you are HIPAA-eligible (i.e. less than 63 days since COBRA expiration or your existing plan was terminated through no fault of your own).

Where Can I Learn More?

Learn more about state-guaranteed coverage in your state, and who to contact in your state if you have a preexisting medical condition from New York Times bestselling author Paul Zane Pilzer's book, The New Health Insurance Solution. You can also search the online State By State Guide.