I worked independently for years and health insurance can be really expensive. I eventually discovered the health savings account (HSA) / high-deductible combo

I worked independently for years and health insurance can be really expensive. I eventually discovered the health savings account (HSA) / high-deductible combo. You can find packages that you pay about $300/month for which buys you access to group pricing (so you get the $30 Advil if you go the the hospital, not the rack rate $800 Advil) of which you pay all of up to a high deductible. In the end your exposure to medical bills for an emergency end up the same as or lower than what you'd be paying for low deductible coverage - e.g. $3600 / yr for premiums plus a 5K deductible puts you in the same monthly range you'd be paying for an HMO, but only if you use all the care. Email is in my profile if you want more details.