A company, a list of clients, or both
Some cleaners are employees of a cleaning company. Some are paid as contractors by a company or an app. Others build their own list of clients and set their own rates, and some do a bit of each. A company's employees may be offered a plan, sometimes after a waiting period. Contractors and people with their own clients usually have no company plan, so ask the company what it offers, and if a spouse has a job with a plan, set that plan beside a plan of your own.
Paid by the house, not by the sick day
When you are sick, or a child is sick, the houses do not get cleaned and the money does not come in. A cancelled visit, a family on vacation or the slow weeks after the holidays leave a hole in your week. Read the guide on the deductible and the out-of-pocket maximum (linked below), then ask the plan question that fits your life: what would I owe if I needed care during a short week?
Knees, backs and the products you use
Bleach, strong cleaners and sprays are close to your face all day, and they can be hard on skin and breathing. Kneeling, lifting and reaching for hours wear on knees, backs and shoulders. Tell your doctor which products you use, ask which specialists are in the network near your clients' neighborhoods, and ask about telehealth for the days you cannot leave a job.
If you get hurt at a client's home
Workers' compensation is the system meant for injuries on the job, and it works separately from a health plan. If you work for yourself or have a workers' compensation exemption, you may have no workers' comp for your own injuries. Ask whether a health plan excludes work-related injuries. For workers' compensation questions, talk with the company you work for or an employment professional.
How a private plan works
PPO stands for preferred provider organization, a plan with a network of doctors and hospitals it prefers; using them usually costs less. Outside the network, the plan's own rules apply. You can apply for a private plan at any time of year. The plans we offer are private plans, not ACA Marketplace plans, and they have exclusions and limitations. An advisor explains the details.
Cleaners under 65 who are paid per house often have no plan through a client or an agency, so a private plan is worth a look. Plans may not cover every benefit. Go over the terms with your advisor before you apply. If it is not right for you, we will tell you.
Taxes: a general note
Cleaners who work for themselves may be able to use the IRS self-employed health insurance deduction, figured on Form 7206 and reported on Schedule 1 of Form 1040. Supplies, gas and mileage are separate business costs with their own rules, and cash or tips you receive are part of your income. This is general information, not tax advice. Talk with a tax professional about your situation.