Sole proprietors already know they have too much to do. If you’re losing only half of your day to non-revenue-generating tasks, you’re doing well. We hate to pile on here, but health insurance really needs a prominent place in your to-do stack. After all, when a sole proprietor is sick, the whole company screeches to a halt.

What we can do is help make shopping for health insurance easier.  Here are three solid tips for finding a health plan that can work within your budget while providing the peace of mind you – and your customers – deserve.

Look Into HSAs First and Foremost
Many self-employed individuals can already deduct their health insurance premiums from their income for tax purposes. Now legislation has taken this one step further with the creation of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). HSAs work similarly to IRAs in that pre-tax money is set aside in a special savings and investment account. Money used from this account on medical expenses can be spent without any penalty, and the money not spent is rolled over from year to year until you reach retirement age. In the short run, HSA plans are often less expensive due to a higher annual deductible. For getting the most from your health insurance dollar, HSAs are hard to beat. Consult your tax advisor to be sure to utilize this new tax savings tool to its fullest.

Use The Internet
Online access to health insurance professionals makes it easy to get guidance and advice whenever it’s right for you.  An online agent like InsureMeOnline.com can provide fast, free and reliable quotes from a variety of health insurance companies all at once, which can save you a huge chunk of time.  Understand that InsureMeOnline.com and other licensed agents all sell the same health insurance plans that you'll find one-by-one through the insurance companies, and at the same prices, too. Rates are filed with and regulated by your state department of health insurance. You won't find the health plan you buy offered for less anywhere else. But with InsureMeOnline.com you can save time, compare benefits and prices among different insurance plans, and still get the professional assistance you need.

In addition, the online application process is often simpler and faster. InsureMeOnline.com’s forms, for example, prevent applicants from accidentally missing necessary questions on the insurance application. Applicants can call our health insurance agents at our toll-free number and keep them on the phone while they complete the application. That application is then sent electronically to the insurance company, which can speed up the approval process.

Living Well Is Up To You
Insurance companies are in the business of assessing risk. The more risky your lifestyle choices are, the more an insurance company may charge you for coverage. The biggest lifestyle indicators they look to are the same as they’ve been for decades: Smoking, weight and alcohol consumption. By quitting smoking, losing weight, and limiting your intake of alcohol, you'll not only improve your ability to run your business while leading a longer, more active life, you can also save money on your health insurance premiums.

So congratulations on your business. InsureMeOnline.com wishes you every success in the world. And when health insurance reaches the top of your to-do list, we’re standing by with the broadest selection of health insurance plans you’ll find anywhere. Let us help you make the most of your health care dollars.