Hello everyone,

I had surgery about two years ago. Stage one floor of mouth. Clean bill of health subsequent to surgery so far. Recently my check ups have been expanded to every three months.

Work however is a problem and I am considering leaving my job and starting a small company. However that would require insurance for me and my family.

Please give me some feedback on acquiring insurance outside of a company's insurance, is it possible? How long does one need to demonstrate a good health record?

Thanks and best regards,

John

John,
My husband and I own our own business. Here in Michigan, if you own your own business a non profit insurance company must take you and your employees no ? asked. We just went through this and my husband had cancer. Got new insurance last month.
They didnt ask any medical ? at all. The non profit insurance here is M-Care and Blue Cross. I dont know if this is a help to you but this is the way it is here in Michigan.
Cheryl

In Arkansas, there is an Ins. program called CHIPS[offered through the state and sold by Blue Cross} In order to qualify, you have to lose your present insurance and then be turned down by 1 more company. However it does cover existing diseases like cancer. Call you state Ins. Commission to see what is offered in Tennessee. Amy

If you have Kaiser and are self employed and file joint tax returns you can set up a small group plan. Your coverage would start on the 1st of the month and there are NO EXCLUSIONS for pre-existing medical conditions or even ANY medical questions asked. Otherwise you'll have to COBRA and they will raise your premiums and you have a time limit for that overage. We have an insurance topic by the way.

Here's a list of insurers in all of the states - it doesn't look like Kaiser operates in Tennessee

http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/reg1369.htm

Thanks for the information, you guys gave me a good place to start.