RE: What's a good freelance rate for technical writers?

["Michael L. Wyland" <michael -at- sumptionandwyland -dot- com>]

Al (and all):

My partner (also my wife, BTW) and I have Health Savings Accounts 
(HSAs), which combine high-deductible major medical insurance with a 
savings account and debit card for routine health care expenses.

My annual deductible is $5,000, so I pay almost all of my health care 
expenses using the savings account.  I can contribute up to about 
$3,000 a year tax-free into the account and use it to pay for just 
about any health care-related expense, from office visits to 
eyeglasses, and even many "alternative" health care options.  It 
won't, however, pay for health club memberships and other wellness 
activities.  Also, with the passage of health care reform, I can no 
longer use my HSA to pay for over-the-counter medications without a 
prescription.  Anything I contribute to my HSA savings account and 
don't spend remains in the interest-bearing account tax-free until I 
use it for an approved expense or until it is given to my heirs.

My major medical policy is with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  Even though 
I have to pay 100% of the first $5,000 in medical expenses each year, 
having the insurance means that I am billed at the insurance 
company-negotiated rate rather than at full retail.  In addition, my 
policy pays 100% of an annual physical as well as applicable medical 
screening tests depending on age and gender.

Having to spend my own money, rather than insurance co-pays, changes 
how I use health care.  On the one hand, I am more likely to get 
regular dental and vision care, since it's now "covered" using money 
I've set aside for health care.  On the other hand, I'm far more 
bargain-conscious and much more likely to ask a health care 
professional whether a test or procedure can be justified using a 
cost-benefit analysis.  It's surprising how many times a 
recommendation turns into a shoulder shrug when I ask whether the 
provider would write the check themselves to pay for the test or 
procedure for themselves!


Michael L. Wyland
Sumption & Wyland
818 South Hawthorne Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD  57104-4537
(605) 336-0244
(605) 336-0275 (FAX)
(888) 4-SUMPTION (toll-free)
michael -at- sumptionandwyland -dot- com

Since 1990
Strategic Planning * Executive Coaching * Training & Facilitation

-- NEW Web site:  http://www.sumptionandwyland.com
-- LinkedIn Profile -- http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwyland





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