Individually purchased health insurance

In the United States, individually purchased health insurance is health insurance purchased directly by individuals, and not those provided through employers. Self-employed individuals receive a tax deduction for their health insurance and can buy health insurance with additional tax benefits. According to the US Census Bureau, about 9% of Americans are covered under individual health insurance.[1] In the individual market, consumers pay the entire premium without an employer contribution,[2][3] and most do not receive any tax benefit.[4] The range of products available is similar to those provided through employers. However, average out-of-pocket spending is higher in the individual market, with higher deductibles, co-payments and other cost-sharing provisions.[5][2] Major medical is the most commonly purchased form of individual health insurance.[6]

  1. ^ Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007 (PDF) (Report). U.S. Census Bureau. August 2008.
  2. ^ a b Chovan, Teresa; Yoo, Hannah; Wildsmith, Tom (August 2005). Individual Health Insurance: A Comprehensive Survey of Affordability, Access, and Benefits (PDF) (Report). America's Health Insurance Plans. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 27, 2007.
  3. ^ Bernard, Didem; Banthin, Jessica (April 2008). Premiums in the Individual Health Insurance Market for Policyholders under Age 65: 2002 and 2005 (PDF) (Report). Statistical Brief. Vol. 202. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference KFF Ind Market Update was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Bertko, John; Yoo, Hannah; Lemieux, Jeff (July 2009). An Analysis of the Distribution of Cost-Sharing Levels in Individual and Small-Group Coverage (Policy Report). Changes in Health Care Financing & Organization (HCFO). Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
  6. ^ "Health Insurance Options for Americans". Health Management Corp. 23 January 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.