Professional Associations That Offer Health Insurance

In some cases, purchasing group health insurance can provide a significant savings and added benefits over purchasing an individual health insurance plan. When you purchase health insurance through an employer or school, the insurance risks are spread across a greater number of people which can often result in lower premiums. Greater buying power also enables a large group to get access to more benefits and services. There are also a number of professional associations that offer health insurance benefits to members.

NASE

• The National Association for the Self-Employed, or NASE, is an organization made up of self-employed professionals in a variety of fields and disciplines. NASE offers both single and family health insurance coverage to all of its members at a group discount. Coverage may include emergency room visits, ambulance reimbursement, vision care and dental coverage depending on your needs. NASE membership is open to any self-employed professional who wishes to sign up. Two different membership levels range in price from $15 to $45 per month according to posted rates for the 2010 year. NASE also offers members a discount card for prescription drug coverage and discounts on health club memberships and self-help programs.

Writers Guild of America

• The Writers Guild is a union association made up of thousands of writers who are responsible for creating television, film and digital media content. Membership is restricted to those writers and producers who are signed to work for an employer who is signatory to a Writers Guild contract. The Writers Guild offers group health insurance to screen, television and digital media or news writers through the Writers Guild-Industry Health Fund. To qualify for coverage, you must be a Writers Guild member who has accumulated qualifying earnings totaling at least $33,681 for the year as of July 1, 2010. The Writers Guild reports that once coverage begins, it remains in effect for a period of 12 consecutive months.

Chamber of Commerce

• Your local Chamber of Commerce chapter might also offer enrollment in a sponsored health insurance plan. The Chamber of Commerce is a professional organization made up of local business owners, companies and sole proprietors belonging to local chapters in thousands of cities across the country. The Montana Chamber of Commerce offers its members offers access to several medical benefit plan options complete with coverage for preventive dental care, vision coverage and wellness benefits. Employers and sole proprietors can take advantage, as long as they are active members of an approved chapter of the chamber of commerce.