[elangoc]

This is an important question, it's the kind of thing that needs to be on an FAQ somewhere. Here is the info that I've collected in the last couple of months (US-centric, sorry):

relevant YC posts/articles:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2247560

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2851224

links from the comments, or elsewhere:

https://be.freelancersunion.org/benefits/ (you probably want to look this up, since they provide discounted health insurance plans for people in and around NYC)

http://www.nase.org/Membership/OptionalBenefits.aspx (smaller benefits, not full covereage, for people across the US)

http://www.anthem.com (For people in California - a sufficiently high deductible introduces risk but can drop your deductible to around $150-200 or less; mine is $108)

If you have a pre-existing condition, then you might find a plan through your state: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/choices/pre-existing-... (is this an outcome of Obama's Affordable Care Act?)

deciding whether/how to claim this on taxes (I haven't quite fully understood this, though):

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=220839,00.html

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=223666,00.html

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2011-04-...

advice via Reuters, FWIW: http://blogs.reuters.com/small-business/2010/12/06/health-in...

[dashr]

In CA, pre-Obama, an Insurer cannot deny an employee based on a pre-existing condition. I believe, The Health Care Act made that standard across the U.S. Some people with pre-existing conditions in CA used to form husband-wife companies to employ themselves and get Insurance.

[jpdoctor]

Addition for the tax deduction FAQ:

For S-corp >2% shareholders have some pretty specific instructions. A health-care reimbursement gets reported on the W-2, but is not taxed.

See the last section on: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=200293,00.html

[javahava]

great info thanks - you're right, there really needs to be an FAQ on this.