Wanted: Health Care Coverage for Our Backbone 
Small business has been quoted over an over as the hardest working segment of the U.S. economy. We are the people of the "Gig Economy" the contract, on call, and independent contractors of the U.S.  In May 2017, there were 10.6 million independent contractors or 6.9 percent of total employment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (blg.gov). "A new NPR/Marist poll finds that 1 in 5 jobs in America is held by a worker under contract. Within a decade, contractors and freelancers could make up half of the American workforce,"  according to NPR.

Great news about our "new" twitter-ific label, our others were getting a bit worn. Rather than lumping us all in a single pile, which doesn't sync with what we actually do for the country, how about this, we are the risk-taking entrepreneurs, the self-employed, the lone rangers.  We roll with commission only pay, per-project contracts, and if we just "show up" we don't eat. Personally, along with 78% of my compatriot gig-s, I am very happy working this way. Yet for this life of produce or die, our reward is paying all of our cost of doing business, taxes, and my fav - insurance. Well, actually it IS my favorite, but that for another day.

November 1, in most states, is the open enrollment period start for healthcare.gov, which I thought was my family's only option. However, I have news, there are others.

The keys to choosing what's best is carefully looking at the following:

1.  How much am I going to spend to get the best coverage for our needs?

We know people across the country who are paying thousands in premium, and that starts the ball rolling. To maximize their coverage, they will need to spend over $20,000 to meet their deductible and pay their premium (by the way, premiums don't count toward deductibles.)
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The Key:  Looking at what you'll be paying out to actually get the coverage.  It's wise to create a couple of scenarios and run the numbers.  Keep in mind the list of no cost benefits which all ACA plans must have. And, always consider the car accident, the emergency room visit, and the unexpected. You might want to take a look at your auto insurance and understand what your medical payments are under your policy. For an accident which happened in my driveway, we had to use my auto policy first then my medical coverage.

2.  Is my Dr. part of the network?

A highly personal issue, or non-issue, which can profoundly affect your decision/costs.

3.  Educate yourself about auxiliary options.

HSA's can be a best friend for the self-employed.  They are for high-deductible plans, but beware, the healthcare.gov options I've looked at are not compatible. Gap insurance can help you survive the deductible dilemma.

4. The medication you take or the chronic illnesses of your loved ones.  

Take your list and do the comparisons  

for other options, look at companies like Agentra who offer a wide variety of plans and use group rates by tying into national associations. This company also adds My HealthPass to their plans providing additional resources.

If you don't mind verbalizing your belief in a higher-power, Aliera is a cost-sharing health ministry which has interesting options. They use verbiage which reflects not being an insurance offering - but you will see it is easy to translate.

Since I have been on this journey,personally, I am more than happy to share my insight. And perhaps why I'd rather work this way. Email me here.

We are very excited to be able to get together again with our Symmetry family at the beginning of November.
The purpose is to learn about Leadership and be immersed among some of the most amazing leaders we have had the opportunity to meet.  Our company is located in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm happy it should be peak autumn color!  (Having lived in Vermont, I had an attitude toward the "leaf peepers" who invaded and wreaked havoc on my daily commute to work. Oh how life changes!)

One of the things that truly has endeared us to SFG, is their focus on giving to others.  In the past couple of weeks most of our leadership and other qualifiers spent time in Puerto Rico at a world-class resort. But, they didn't leave it there...they spent hours helping to clear debris from the devastation from hurricane Maria  which is still impacting living conditions on the island.

When Symmetry announced that once again, it was time to help the Make-a-Wish Foundation, we couldn't wait to help.  Personally, we can't imagine anything being more important than our family, especially our little guys, two pumpkin-patching above.  Having to deal with life threatening diseases takes so much from the lives of the children and families affected.  In comes Make-a-Wish and the stories are incredible.

Please take a look at Ashwani's story below because the true value of a donation to this organization is in the hope for the future and the strength for today, for the child and the family.

If you are as moved as we are we have created a donation page.  I am very inspired that our 6-year old granddaughter is offering half of her piggy bank savings for the cause!   

First Out of the Box
Welcome to "Notes on Life." 

Anyone who spends time serving the public will agree that sometimes it just leaves you with your jaw hanging, or with your fists clenched, laughing so hard you cry, or actual tears. Life has a way of doing that. So, we thought we'd share some stories, not the gossipy-kind of TMZ dishing, the "real" stories and observations of life. No privacy breached, no actual people's information shared, without written approval, just the perspectives of people whose work is Life.