broaderic 
Intro:
The cost of healthcare remains high. These costs impact everyone but they impact freelancers more. You’re responsible for providing your benefits – everything comes out of your pocket.
Thus, you must figure out how to manage the costs, especially healthcare. The best way to manage them is through prevention. If you sleep enough, consume a balanced diet, and complete physical activity daily, you’ll develop fewer chronic conditions and diseases.
Developing health conditions through genetics or bad habits isn’t the only reason why freelancers require ongoing medical care. Those involved in vehicle collisions or accidents can develop lifelong health conditions too.
The following are seven tips for managing your healthcare costs as a freelancer.
Prevention
Prevention is the best way to manage health-related costs. Although the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, covers individuals who have preexisting conditions, ongoing medical care still takes a bite out of your earnings.
Moreover, the ACA has made medical care more expensive for healthy individuals.
If your health unravels, it will also impact your ability to work. Then, things can become stickier. Thus, the bulk of our tips focus on prevention.
1. Daily Physical Activity
In general, the medical community agrees that the public benefits from 30 minutes of consistent physical activity daily. For example, going for a 30-minute walk is enough to improve blood and oxygen flow throughout the body.
It also burns extra calories, works out your legs and core, and might extend your lifespan.
To optimize daily walking, exercise with weights and stretch before every session. The goal is to help the muscles regenerate themselves. Aging causes the body to deteriorate.
Physical activity doesn’t reverse deterioration, it slows it down.
2. Balanced Diet
The old adage says that you are what you eat, and it’s true. The signs of individuals who eat mostly sugar and salty diets become apparent in their hair, skin, and nails.
A great way to achieve flowing hair, bright skin, and strong nails is to eat fruits, vegetables, and protein, not by undergoing risky surgical procedures. Plus, you’re more likely to age better.
3. Good Habits
Individuals also reflect their habits in their appearance. Smoking, consuming drugs, and drinking in excess catch up to people. Not only do bad habits deteriorate the body faster, but they also increase the individual’s medical costs.
Rehabilitation has a price, and so does extra medical and dental care.
4. Plan Ahead
Planning is another way to manage medical care costs. For example, open a health savings account and fund the maximum annually.
In addition to purchasing a cost-effective healthcare plan, purchase supplemental insurance. It’s also never too early to start an estate plan, especially if you have assets that you will leave behind.
Freelancers who have families also benefit from retirement, estate, and health planning.
5. Schedule Annual Check-Ups
The best way to know the state of your health is to visit your primary care physician annually.
In 2022, you’ll undergo a different type of health check-up. Some clinics complete an array of blood work tests on patients. Then, doctors have the best information before they meet with them.
If you’re prone to diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, your doctor can catch it before any one of them progresses. Moreover, you have time to take care of the conditions through holistic means instead of medically prescribed ones.
Let’s look at two non-prevention ways to manage your healthcare costs.
Other Tips
6. Find a Service
As more individuals enter the freelancing workforce, services that cater to their needs have popped up.
In addition to finding cost-effective healthcare options, services like Gigly help freelancers explore other insurance options too.
7. Know Your Options
When medical emergencies occur, doctors, nurse help lines, and urgent care clinics will point you to the nearest hospital.
In non-life threatening situations, it’s best to avoid going to the hospitals – they are the most expensive option.
Instead, know your medical care options. Start with a primary care physician who will help you stay healthy. If something is amiss, head to an urgent care clinic next.
Leave hospitals as a last resort option. If you understand your family medical history and body, you’ll know when something is wrong or simply needs a tweak.
Conclusion
In 2022, all individuals must manage their healthcare costs. Since freelancing has financial uncertainty, freelancers must focus on preventing costly medical situations. Remember that prevention goes a long way. Then, know your options and find a service that provides discounts tailored to freelancers.
