taken from a tax help web site, not gospel jsut searched for it.

"You can deduct the full cost of health insurance you purchase for yourself, your spouse, and/or your dependents. However, you cannot deduct any insurance costs for any months you were eligible to participate in a group health insurance plan through your or your spouse's employer. For example, if you paid for 12 months of health insurance coverage for yourself and your family, but you became eligible to participate in your spouse's group health insurance in December, then you can deduct only 11 months worth of insurance premiums."

No, it's not.

That is what insurance is. I suppose you don't carry auto insurance as well. :roll:

In 1991 I had a burst appendix, happened IN THE hospital emergency room.

2 surgeries and 17 days later I went home, insurance paid all $46,000 of it!

Burst appendix can happen to ANYONE at ANYTIME.......think about it.

A few years ago, it cost about $20,000 to find out that the docs had no idea why I had the runs. Insurance paid all of it.


I know, I know. TMI. :lol:

In 2001, 36 hours in Intensive care cost me $250.00. Cost the Insurance Company $38,980.00...another 5 days in a semi private room ran the bill to $178,450.00....that included 1 surgery session.

Think I loved Aetna??

But....but......Bigmon said it's free at County. :lol: :lol: :lol:

If you're self-employed, your premiums are 100% deductible. In fact, it's a line item right on the front of your 1040 to make it nice and simple. I'm a big believer in HSA's but they're not the best choice for everybody. Most notably those that regularly require more than average medical attention. I don't know why you'd pay your premiums out of your HSA. Chances are, if you have an HSA you're self-employed, so you're premiums are already 100% tax-free without the extra layer of admin.

Thanks for all the input. I did consider and HSA - but as an OO for about 2 years, I have enough savings to cover most emergencies for the house and the truck - just don't think I could bankroll medical as well. Thanks for the tax advise.

I can understand why many people rely on "County" for their medical care. Like I said before, we have pretty good health. Nothing more than a few bouts with minor illnesses, regular checkups, etc. Can't imagine how much it would cost if we did have problems.

I think Cook County is free....but you WILL wait 8 hrs in the ER with a gunshot wound, and 3 days for a routine checkup for something like a cough or stitches :shock:

It is free at County if it's a real emergency. Why do you think they complain so much about cost. BTW...insurance won't pay the full rate either if it's not a real emergency.

Going to the ER for a cold is not an emergency. I've known people that had broken bones and the insurance ruled that it was not an emergency and screwed them on the claim.

I pay 324 every 6 months for car insurance. A good deal I think. If it was 2000 every 6 months I would take my chances and just get liability.

Y'all are entitled to spend as much as you want on premiums.