Self-employed son's health plan wasn't renewed, where do you start?

Asking for my son, since I've been on Medicare for years and have no idea how this stuff works anymore. He runs his own remodeling business out of a shop off Highway 71, and his family health plan got dropped at the end of the year. Wife and two kids, so it's four people to cover. Letter came in the mail last week and he's been stressed ever since.

He's mostly looked at healthcare.gov so far, but between open enrollment starting this month and all the different tiers, he's not sure what he's looking at. Has anybody here been through this as self-employed? Did you go through the marketplace or do something else? Is there anything local that helps you sort through it for free?

I told him to be careful about anything that's priced way lower than the rest. I've heard there are plans that look like a bargain and then don't cover much when you actually need them. Would like to hear if folks have run into that.

Appreciate any pointers. He'd rather figure this out now than in January.

Sorry to hear that, Bobby, a letter like that is stressful, especially with two kids on the plan. I'm no expert, but a few things I've picked up from friends who went through it.

Arkansas uses healthcare.gov, so he's looking in the right place. Since his plan was dropped, he may qualify for a special enrollment period even outside the regular window, so he should check that and not assume he has to wait. Healthcare.gov also has a "find local help" tool where you put in your zip and it lists free certified assisters near you. Much better than guessing at the tiers alone.

You're right to be wary of the really cheap ones. Short-term plans and some "membership" type programs can turn you down for pre-existing conditions or leave out big things. Have him ask what it doesn't cover before he signs up for anything.

Hope he gets it sorted well before January.

Have a good one