Three owner-operators who recognize the risk of failing health

How long can a truck driver or owner afford to gamble on the future without health insurance? If you needed evidence that plenty do just that, just take a look around — every week seems to yield a new request from an individual looking to defray insurmountable medical costs. Truck driver-centered philanthropic organizations, meanwhile, devote much time and energy to securing donations for the same purpose. I don’t intend to suggest these charities don’t deserve our support, or to even question the role these play in providing stopgap assistance. That role’s important, no doubt.

Yet consider that not having health insurance is, by some estimates, among the top three reasons truck owners fail. As we grow older, of course, risk of catastrophic outcomes increases.

Last week, I detailed Medicare options for those 65 and older. If you’re under 65, this year’s open enrollment period for plans available through the Affordable Care Act exchanges starts tomorrow, November 1, and ends January 15. You are likely seeing notices and hearing this topic discussed on the radio, along with ads encouraging people who need this coverage to act.

I know all too well that the daily grind of the trucking business, not to mention driving itself, leaves many owners struggling with some of life’s realities outside the cab. Yet in small business, my experience has been that almost everything we do circles back to our personal lives. Health is paramount. As I write this, I personally know a half-dozen truck owners who have been recently hospitalized without warning with life-threatening diagnoses. Some will never be able to return to driving.

[Related: Health insurance savings possible for many more owner-operators after legislation]

Consider insurance options for effective prevention of health-emergency-caused bankruptcy

If you’re like many owner-operators, in a situation where health insurance is not available through your own direct employment, through a spouse’s employer’s policy, or an association membership, the federal Affordable Care Act exchange at HealthCare.gov is a fine place to start. Though 17 states (plus the District of Columbia) now operate their own exchanges for in-state residents, starting at the federal site and following the step-by-step links will guide you through the options and get you ultimately to the right place.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll need to get started there:

• Information about your household, who lives there, etc.
• Home/mailing addresses and other information (including Social Security numbers) for everyone applying for coverage
• Information about the professional helping you apply, if any. These may include so-called “navigators” and certified application counselors, in-person-assistance personnel, and insurance agents and brokers.
• Immigration document information — this applies to lawfully present immigrants
• Information on how you’ll file your taxes.
• Employer and income information for everyone in the household. To estimate potential savings through subsidies, the exchange system counts all these as income: Wages…