Health 411: Small-business health plan premiums up? Options exist.
A self-employed immigrant with a small business is facing stiff hikes in health-insurance premiums. There are likely alternative plans at lower rates and tax relief for some small businesses.My wife and I arrived as legal immigrants from Canada four years ago at the age of 63 to be closer to our three children. Having lived in Canada most of our lives, we never contributed to Medicare. Right now I am self-employed and have a small-business health plan through Kaiser. The premiums have escalated from $450 per month to $1,228 per month, with a very high deductible. I am afraid we may have to return to Canada, where we enjoyed free health care. I am sure that many parents who join their children in the U.S. are in the same situation and would like to know what other options are available.