Under the Table - Health Insurance

[Anonymous]

Hi All!
So my current situation in a nutshell: I'm working for a wonderful family under the table and will be losing the health insurance coverage I receive through my parents (turning 26). I'm going to call a health insurance broker to get some quotes on private health care plans so that I can pay for my own health insurance from here on out. Since I'm working under the table and have no taxable income, should I just say that I'm currently not working? I live with my boyfriend who makes a good living (on the books) and could just say that he supports me I guess. Anybody else been in this situation?

***I know I'm going to receive a lot of flack for working under the table. I've worked on the books for years and this is a temporary situation that works best for me and the family. I understand why it angers people, but I'm doing what I gotta do for now. I don't exactly love it myself***

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

What state do you live in?

[Anonymous]

I would not advise lying on an application for health insurance. There will almost certainly be a provision that lying on the form is grounds for terminating your coverage.

Also, just because you are working under the table does not mean you have no taxable income. Your income is taxable, you and your employer are just breaking the law by not paying the taxes on it.

[Anonymous]

Yeah. You can still pay your taxes, you know, even if they don't give you a W 2.

[Anonymous]

i work under the table in MA and i get insurance through my school. If you can't do that most nannies gets insurance through the state go uninsured. depending on your state you might have to go to free clinics or start claiming through a 1099. They won't give insurance to people who aren't working unless your state has some type of universal coverage like MA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i work under the table in MA and i get insurance through my school. If you can't do that most nannies gets insurance through the state go uninsured. depending on your state you might have to go to free clinics or start claiming through a 1099. They won't give insurance to people who aren't working unless your state has some type of universal coverage like MA.

OP is indicating she's prepared to pay monthly for a private insurance plan, so your "they won't give insurance" claim is false. You're right that state insurance plans have guidelines and qualifications that she'd have to meet if she lives in a state like MA or WA, but anyone can buy private insurance whether they're employed or not.

OP what forms or to whom are you asking about lying? If you're talking about on the insurance application itself I would talk to your insurance agent - tell him or her that you're not employed FT but you do have some income coming in from babysitting jobs and ask how you should indicate that. (The agent doesn't care about your employment or taxes, so definitely don't lie to them.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i work under the table in MA and i get insurance through my school. If you can't do that most nannies gets insurance through the state go uninsured. depending on your state you might have to go to free clinics or start claiming through a 1099. They won't give insurance to people who aren't working unless your state has some type of universal coverage like MA.

It is mind-blowing how uninformed you are.

[Anonymous]

I hope you and your fellow lying, cheating cretin employers are caught.

[Anonymous]

Why can't your boyfriend put you on his policy? You are his "partner".

[Anonymous]

I work off the books (F*ck you, haters.) and I have private insurance. I pay for it myself. The broker never asked what my income was. Just sayin'.

[Anonymous]

Rock on with your bad illegal self, 20:51.

Just sayin.

[Anonymous]

I don't know why private insurance would care about your income.

If you are applying for income-based coverage (like Medicaid) then you would be committing fraud by saying you don't work.

[Anonymous]

And somehow someway, the government would find out.

[NisforNanny]

I live and work in MA and have an individual health insurance plan through BCBS. They did not ask me any questions about my income when I took out the policy. My current employers pay for my insurance, but I paid for it when previous ones did not offer that benefit. I had my policy on autopay from my bank account and when I switched jobs, we filled out paperwork for it to autopay from their account. A different previous employer (I've had this policy for several years) paid for a portion of my monthly premium, which they did via a separate, labeled check - I would do it that way if I had concerns about my employer not paying the premium on time.

If you are not seeking insurance with an income restriction, I don't see why you should have to disclose your income. I would call a couple of different companies to get information about policies and quotes. If asked, I would say that you're a nanny. Lying on an insurance policy is a bad idea and the information should be confidential - i.e., not directly piped to the IRS.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone! I'm not seeking any income based coverage, just paying for a private plan. I don't have any experience with the process of getting health care so I wasn't sure what to expect / what info would be needed. Thanks to those who gave me their similar stories!

And FWIW I do plan on getting back "on the books", this is just a temporary situation. IMO, working under the table and taking no welfare or government aid is better than just sitting at home, living off of other people's tax money while waiting for the "perfect job" to come along.

Anyway, thanks again!