There is a myth, that sex workers cannot have health insurance. This is especially prevalent because in the strip club, the club owner is not going to give you health insurance, and most escorts do not have any type of boss to give them health insurance. This myth goes along with the idea that many Americans have, that their boss has to give them everything, from income to health insurance. However, there are many small business owners, including businesses of 1, that are able to get health insurance.
Health insurance will come at a cost to you (it would have came out of your paycheck at a square job anyway), but can possibly be deducted from your taxes at the end of the year depending on what type of plan you are getting. However, healthcare is very important for you as a sex worker. Not only is it imperative if you have children, but as sex workers, we have very physical jobs and need to get proper healthcare. We should be having a physical and seeing a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, we should be seeing specialists, such as chiropractors, dentists, psychologists, and podiatrists to help us with the pain of the job. Also, if you are paying your taxes, you will have to get healthcare or pay a tax penalty anyway, so this is a great first step in being organized.
I am going to lay out a few basic ways you can receive healthcare. These vary in each state, so it is important that you look up your local laws and learn how to apply for an independent health plan.
Independent Health Plan. For this type of health plan, you do not need to be qualified as a business, but you can still buy health care for yourself and your family. This is good if you do not have any employees, which you most likely do not if you are an independent sex worker.
Affordable Care Act. You may qualify for ACA (Obamacare), if you meet the income requirement. The enrollment period is November through the end of January, so unless you have a major life event (move state, get married, or have a child), you will have to wait for open enrollment. Also, due to the change in administration, there may be changes to the marketplace for Obamacare if you are waiting to apply for 2019.
Ehealth marketplace: Another place you can find health insurance is through ehealth. They have plans that start at $101 a month and the highest is about $250. These monthly costs may seem like a lot, but will be worth it for yourself and your family. They also have plans that just keep you with insurance until the next Obamacare enrollment period.
I created this short post to show you all that you can have healthcare as a sex worker. Because of the physical aspects of the job, and the large amounts of human contact you have at work, it is important to protect yourself from illness. Not to mention, if you are paying your taxes as you should be, the penalty you will pay for not getting healthcare, will be almost as much as the cost to be covered. Also, I am not healthcare professional or insurance agent, and you should also consult with an insurance agent to make sure you are buying the right insurance for you.