Hundreds of thousands of Americans are self-employed in what is the economy's single largest workforce. Thousands more are making the jump every year as well, but there are many things that they should consider first. One of the largest considerations is healthcare. Rising costs among larger employers are also being faced by individuals who must insure themselves. Often times, these policies aren't as strong as those provided by employers and may cost substantially more. Luckily, they are deductible in some cases and there are many choices. Some of the favorite referrers are the Small Business Service Bureau and the AARP. Meanwhile, Blue Cross Blue Shield remains one of the largest independent providers.

From The New York Times:
If there is one thing that separates the self-employed from those employed by others, it is their preoccupation with health insurance ... Many readers shared recommendations based on where they buy their insurance. Popular sources were local chambers of commerce, the Small Business Service Bureau (sbsb.com), AARP (aarp.org) (for those over 50), industry-specific trade associations like a bar association or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In states that permit it, small-business owners can also start a group with as little as one member. In that case, a good insurance agent comes in handy. For the reasonably healthy who know what they are looking for, ehealthinsurance.com got fairly good reviews.