I went to the dentist this week. Something I've tried my best to avoid because of the cost- generally as a self-employed person it comes out of pocket. And it ranks high on my list of things I don't want to spend time on.
I only went because I had a tooth bothering me, and had a feeling it might have to do with an old injury. I'd fallen off my bike when I was young and instead of breaking an arm/leg like most other kids do, I broke my two front teeth. One had a root canal at the time, and I was told that the other would eventually have to have a root canal too (the one that was bother me). Also a suggestion both teeth would need crowns. This was the worst-case scenario- one that sent me panicking asking myself: how am I going to pay for this?
The answer obviously is some kind of health/dental benefits. So going into my dentist appointment I did some research into the possibility. I compared one policy offered by C.A.A. (Canadian Automobile Association) at a premium of around $113/ month, and talked to a friend who's in the industry, and the bottom line was- when you take into account my income, and the benefits I would get out of it, it wouldn't be worth it. I could still potentially end up paying hundreds out of pocket. I'm very lucky; my parents are stepping in and footing the bill. If they didn't, I could probably go broke trying to afford the work.
My friend also admitted to me the fact it's a weakness of the system. There are no affordable premiums for self-employed people, or for what she called "groups of one." There have to be thousands of people in Ontario alone that are in a similar position. Self-employed, but not quite making enough money to afford those insurance premiums.
This brings me to my free suggestion for politicians out there. Self-employment is starting to be a way of life in Canada. It's time to look for ways to open up the private insurance system. Maybe give these insurance companies a tax break. Create an incentive; tell them if they sign on say 7-8 thousand people they get the break.
Insurance packages should be flexible enough to have just one benefit; you should be able to get just dental or medical. Maybe in the case of dental benefits the percentage of services covered becomes a loyalty perk. Stay with us for 3 years we'll cover 20% of restorative, and then increase it from there. You could limit it to people who are self-employed and who have made less than $10 thousand the previous three years. Maybe they have to show some kind of income statement.
We say we're broke, and we can't afford to spend much on health care. This is one way I think we could save money- maybe millions in the long term. It's a win-win-win situation. A win for the insurance companies; they save money and could possibly make some. A win for the self-employed they save money. And it's a win for the government because they're saving money on health.
Hope you liked it... the next suggestion will cost.
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