My question is what do you guys do for health insurance if you are "self-employed" or do not currently have health benefits via your employer?

Like many of you out there, poker is my primary source of income and I do not have a "real" job w/ healthcare benefits. I am no longer a student or covered under my parents' plan. Although, I do go to the gym regularly (3-4 times a week) and often bike on the off days so that I'm relatively healthy. However, I still catch the common cold and sinus infection type stuff from time to time. I also would like to continue getting an annual physical to make sure everything's alright and working as it should. Consequently, I assume it's best to go w/ some sort of insurance provider to ensure I'm covered should something extreme happen (car wreck, some DA hitting me while on my bike, get drunk and jump off a wall to break a leg, unlikely but possibly etc). I'm currently considering the higher deductible plans because I think it is indeed quite the long shot that I will need to utilize them, mainly want something with low co-pays.

My main concern is routine or remedial doctor's visits and prescription costs.

Does anybody have some provider recommendations and what plan should I get (I'm a 24 year old male that is fairly healthy)?

The prime candidate plan I'm looking at currently is $101 per month + $40 doctor visit co-pay + $10 prescription co-pays and a $750 deductible for major illnesses or injuries (surgery, etc).

All sound advice is gratefully appreciated.

Catastrophic insurance + Health Savings Account probably makes the most sense for you. Google for articles about it.

Based on premiums alone, that insurance doens't look too bad. What Kyle said is good too.

HSAs are nice because they are tax deductible and you can roll it over later on, invest it, etc. The only issue with the HSA is that if something happens early on, you can be out of a lot of money really fast.

You'll probably pay about the same regardless. The HSA you'll get to keep the cash provided that you don't have to use it. You won't get much preventative care and the prescriptions/copays will be pricey. The health insurance is safer but doesn't accumulate in value-you use it or lose it.

I have both an HSA from a previous job and currently pay for my own + wife insurance through Anthem. They are pretty cheap, though I haven't had to use it yet.