HEALTH INSURANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS
Health Insurance Options for Individuals & Families Under Age 65
Tip: All underlined words contain hyperlinks to YouTube Videos that I’ve created, or a resource.
Are you uninsured or paying too much for health insurance? Here are some options you might consider:
Private Health Insurance Plans: Breland Benefits and Insurance offers private health insurance options for individuals, families, and small business owners who prefer not to use an ACA plan (also known as Obamacare). Many private plans provide better coverage in most situations and often come with lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Before diving into your options, here’s a quick background on the ACA:
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ACA Plans: Also known as Obamacare, these plans must cover "Essential Healthcare Benefits," such as maternity care, unlimited lifetime benefits, and pre-existing conditions without waiting periods.
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Guaranteed Coverage: If you apply during the ACA's open enrollment, you cannot be denied coverage for medical reasons.
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Tax Subsidies: ACA plans provide financial help to those whose income falls within a certain range. But if your income changes, these subsidies can be unpredictable for self-employed individuals.
Private Health Insurance Benefits The private sector has created several alternatives to the ACA that are often more flexible and affordable. With the penalty for not having an ACA plan eliminated in 2017, now is a great time to explore these private options.
Your private health insurance choices fall into four main categories:
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Employer/Association Plans
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These plans can be fully insured or level-funded. For individuals not eligible for group plans, level-funded association plans can offer affordable options.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) offers individual ACA-compliant plans that vary by state, but these are generally more expensive and restrictive compared to private options.
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Indemnity Plans
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Indemnity plans pay you a fixed benefit amount for specific health events, regardless of other insurance coverage.
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Although pre-existing conditions are excluded during the first year and plans are typically medically underwritten, they are guaranteed renewable to age 65 or when you become eligible for Medicare.
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As of early 2025, we only recommend one indemnity plan as a primary health insurance alternative, but for the best protection, we recommend bundling it with another plan to cover catastrophic events.
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Faith-Based Plans
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Faith-based plans offer health cost-sharing among members of a religious community.
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They are not regulated like traditional insurance and may have limitations, such as moral or attendance requirements. While we usually don’t recommend these plans, there is one faith-based plan we feel comfortable suggesting in certain situations.
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Short-Term Medical (STM) Plans
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STM plans are a temporary solution for people between jobs or near Medicare eligibility. New STM plans cannot be issued for a term longer than 90 days
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These plans are medically underwritten, exclude pre-existing conditions, and are not guaranteed renewable, so they should not be used as a long-term health insurance strategy. We usually recommend other options with better long-term benefits.
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Self-Employed Individuals & Small Business Owners
If you’re self-employed, you have unique insurance needs. We work with a leading provider that offers national self-insured health plans specifically designed for the self-employed. These plans feature:
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Low deductibles ranging from $250 to $750.
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100% coverage after meeting the deductible, with no coinsurance, just small copays.
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Affordable rates for dependents, especially those with children, with no surcharges for tobacco use or minor health conditions, including Type II diabetes.
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Simplified Issue, which means that if you receive self-employment income, even from a side gig, and can answer no their medical questions found HERE, you cannot be turned down, and there is no waiting period for coverage such as pre-existing conditions.
These plans offer great value on their own but can provide even more comprehensive coverage when bundled with an indemnity plan. This combination can often save you money on both premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Watch this short VIDEO to learn more about bundling this plan.
Next Steps
If you’re ready to explore your health insurance options, you don’t have to go it alone. Call me, Darryl Breland, at 601-624-2424, and I’ll help you navigate the market to find the best plan for your needs, even if it’s something I don’t directly offer.
Let’s find the best solution for you together!
Senior Market
Age 64+
Turning 65 and Don’t Know What to Do?
Navigating the world of Medicare can be daunting, especially as you approach the milestone of turning 65. But fear not because, at Breland Benefits and Insurance, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
When you turn 65, you become eligible for Medicare. The first decision you must make is whether you want to enroll in Original Medicare, consisting of Part A and Part B, which provides hospital and medical insurance coverage, or Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage.
We at Breland Benefits and Insurance do not recommend Medicare Advantage for various reasons, so we don’t offer these plans. Click HERE to watch a 16-minute video explaining why I don’t recommend it.
We recommend Original Medicare (Parts A and B) supplemented with a Plan G insurance policy. Watch this short video to learn why.
You must obtain Original Medicare by calling your state’s Social Security office, or you can call the National number at 800-772-1213. If you visit their website, make sure that you double-check the address bar for the “.gov” before entering any personal information. If the website address doesn’t end with .gov, it is not a government site.
If enrolling for the first time within the six-month window of becoming eligible for Medicare, you're guaranteed coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. That's right – no medical questions, no worries about being turned down. We've got you covered from day one.
Next, you should purchase a Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap) Plan G, which covers the Medicare Parts A and B deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance after you meet an annual deductible. The federal government determines the deductible annually and applies to all Plan G policies. The government determines what Medicare Supplements must cover, so a Plan G from ABC company will be the same as Plan G from XYZ company or any other company, except for the premium and service. Breland Benefits and Insurance has access to the most reputable insurance providers. You can request a Plan G quote by clicking HERE or get a quote directly from one of our favorites by clicking HERE, and even self-enroll.
Now that you’ve taken care of protecting yourself from catastrophic medical claims, you may want to enroll in Part D, which covers prescription drugs. This is optional, but you can watch this short video to learn more about this program. Breland Benefits and Insurance does not sell Part D plans, but we are providing this link to self-enroll for your convenience.
You may want to consider dental and vision insurance plans. This LINK allows you to shop plans, compare networks, and even self-enroll.
Once you’ve addressed your medical coverage needs, you may consider updating your life insurance to one that provides living benefits (aka accelerated benefits). Breland Benefits has identified the policies with the best terms and conditions. If you want a quote for life insurance with living benefits, click here.
Last but not least, Breland Benefits may be able to help you protect your retirement savings account and/or provide a better return, or both, with an indexed annuity.
So, if you're turning 65 and unsure about your Medicare options or want to review your retirement account investment options, don't hesitate to contact Breland Benefits and Insurance. We're here to help you navigate the complexities of Medicare and find the coverage that's right for you. Your peace of mind is our priority.
Darryl Breland
601-624-2424