Escorts and Health Insurance

[Guest ReturnOfS]

How do full time escorts/erotic masseurs pay for health insurance? I imagine that it can't be easy. I've always wondered since being an escort, you're not really part of a group health insurance plan, thats assuming that escort agencies don't provide some type of group health insurance plans. Perhaps there are escorts out there who have domestic partnerships and can get insurance through their partner's job? I did meet one healthy erotic masseur in hi early 20s who had a real hard time getting health insurance because of some operation that he had as a kid. He was able to get health insurance eventually, though.

 

So escorts and erotic masseurs, how do you pay for health insurance?

[Romann]

Gotta have it but at a price.

 

There really are not that many options when it comes to escorting and insurance. One can either go without and risk 1 major incident that could lead to financial ruin. Or, purchase an individual policy but in most cases, these have noticeably higher monthly premiums and annual deductibles. Though, I know a handful of escorts who have a partner providing them insurance under the employer group policy. Even then, adding a spouse alone drives up the monthly premium compared to the premium for the policy holder.

[Guest MickeyMoosie]

How do full time escorts.......

 

 

In my world, "full time" is eight hours a day, five days a week. I dare say there aren't any guys who are turning tricks one after the other, eight hours in one day, five out of seven days of the week. Generally, you hear how guys don't like doing more than one a day because they want to give their best to their clients.

 

So, if someone is doing only a trick a day, normally after work hours because the guys who can afford to hire someone generally have a day job, they have plenty of time to get a job that offers them insurance.

 

If health insurance is a major concern for them and they can't afford it from the money they make escorting then they need to go get a job that comes with insurance. Just because they can't afford it turning tricks doesn't mean there's a problem with health care or insurance in general. It means they only want to "work" a few hours a week and get the same benefits people who work 40 hours a week either pay for or get through their job.

 

Bottom line: if you want insurance and can't pay for it - go get a job and turn tricks in the evenings or your days off.

 

Now, as for massage therapists, that's a different story, many of them work all day, five days a week. If they're having a hard time paying for insurance, then they need to adjust their fees to pay for it and let their clients know the price increase is to pay for health insurance.

 

But until that happens, everyone to the rice fields!!!

[Guest MickeyMoosie]

How do full time escorts......

 

 

Let me also add this......

 

Let's assume that an escort is working 32 hours a week (which is still considered full-time). Using a lowball figure of $125/hr, that means the guy is making, TAX FREE, $4000/wk, $16000/mo and $208,000/yr.

 

If someone can't pay for health insurance on that TAX FREE salary (or even paying taxes!), then they're spending their money on other things and I don't want to hear any whining about how expensive insurance is.

 

After doing the math, I'm not sympathetic towards successful massage therapists either.

 

But never mind, this way to the rice fields everyone!!!

[KMEM]

MM-

 

I am curious as to what you do that has 60 productive minutes in every hour. You should realize that what you are describing is apples and oranges.

 

I often work part of 7 days a week; very often more than 8 hours per day. That is commonly regarded as duty time, not time actually manipulating the controls.

 

Dedicated escorts or serious escorts spend time in the gym and spend other time preparing to meet, greet and please their clients.

 

One of the problems with acquiring insurance is the dreaded credit score. If you are young, you may not have much of one. Being an independent contractor just exacerbates the issue.

 

As you and others mention, there ARE ways to acquire insurance, but not necessarily as simple as you seem to think.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Romann]

...there ARE ways to acquire insurance, but not necessarily as simple as you seem to think.

 

KMEM

 

Agreed.

 

Now that credit scores are being introduced as part of the overall equation to determine premiums and deductibles, the price of healthcare adds up. The hard part about single policies is that one has to meet the high deductible before the actual insurance coverage kicks in and starts picking up on average 80% (not sure on that figure) of the overall expense. Obviously, the higher the deductible one chooses the lower the premium so that has to be factored in. Do most people have 10k in medical expenses each year for my age group? Not many but there are those who do.

 

In the end, the alternate option of not carrying health insurance IMHO isn't an option I care to explore. There are a lot of factors that one needs to weigh when it comes to health care coverage, what amounts and at what dollar figure is affordable.

[Kevin Slater]

In my world, "full time" is eight hours a day, five days a week. I dare say there aren't any guys who are turning tricks one after the other, eight hours in one day, five out of seven days of the week.

 

I think most folk mean "sole-support" when they say "full time".

 

Kevin Slater

[+ deej]

Romann, I'm curious whether you've contacted Adult Industry Medical (http://www.aim-med.org/)?

 

I lost track of it many years ago, but ISTR they were negotiating with insurers to provide affordable group plans for sexworkers. Might be worth looking into.

 

(They're an organization every sex worker should know about in any case!)

[Kevin Slater]

<For some reason there are two instances of this thread and I apparently responded to the dormant one, before reading the evolution here. Reposting here regardless.>

 

I purchase an individual plan.

 

People ask this question a lot. I'm confused as to what the issue is. There seems to be an expectation of some hurdle I've never encountered-- is it just the $500 a month? Health insurers don't ask about one's profession and there are many self-employed folk who manage health insurance. What am I missing?

 

Kevin Slater

[Guest MickeyMoosie]

Dedicated escorts or serious escorts spend time in the gym and spend other time preparing to meet, greet and please their clients.

 

Going to the gym isn't part of the job. There are plenty of escorts who make a shitload of money who have never seen the inside of a gym. If they want to look a certain way they'll need to go to the gym but, in my world, it can't be characterized as part of the job - unless, of course, they're getting fucked by a client while doing squats.

 

As for the other three things.....

 

Meet: Take a shower - we all do that before going to work, it isn't part of the job.

Greet: "Hi, nice to meet you". It took longer for me to type that than to say it.

Please: That IS the job.

 

As I said earlier, a successful escort makes more than enough money to pay for health insurance (does anyone honestly think Arpad Miklos, even without doing videos, can't afford insurance?). If an escort wants insurance but doesn't make enough to pay for it, then do what millions of people do: get a job.

 

But until you do, this way to the rice fields!!!

[Sean Knight]

Successful, dedicated escorts similar to successful, dedicated business professionals, put in an immense amount of "behind-the-scenes" work. While it isn't necessary for clients to recognize the efforts, it's a bonus when they do.

 

In a marketing presentation, the client won't care that you spent 20+ hours getting prepared for that 1 hour sales pitch. They just care about the sales pitch.

 

 

Like with most things in life, you get out of it what you put in!

[+ purplekow]

Mr. Moosie. Which country are you living in? Unemploment rates are high and many employers no longer supply health insurance, as the cost is extreme. There is no point arguing as to whether escorts can afford it or not, some can, some can't. For those that cannot, your advice is simple-minded and arrogant.

[BewareofNick]

Going to the gym isn't part of the job. There are plenty of escorts who make a shitload of money who have never seen the inside of a gym. If they want to look a certain way they'll need to go to the gym but, in my world, it can't be characterized as part of the job - unless, of course, they're getting fucked by a client while doing squats.

 

Could you perhaps show me the employee handbook for escorts that you're referring to? Who are you to determine what is and is not part of an escort's job? No one really cares what things are like in your world. In your world, the sky is olive green and Glenn Beck makes sense.

 

Clients like all different types of escorts, but generally speaking, having a hot, fit, in shape body is something a lot of clients look for. So if an escort wants to make more money, he keeps his body in shape and looking good. Therefore, working out can be considered part of the job. Again, what happens in your world is irrelevant. We're talking the real world here, not yours.

 

As for the other three things.....

 

Meet: Take a shower - we all do that before going to work, it isn't part of the job.

Greet: "Hi, nice to meet you". It took longer for me to type that than to say it.

Please: That IS the job.

 

Again, who are you to determine anything? I am sure you don't care if the underage twinks you pick up at the high school smell, but most clients don't want an escort to smell bad. When your job IS your body, it needs to look right, smell right and be right.

 

As I said earlier, a successful escort makes more than enough money to pay for health insurance (does anyone honestly think Arpad Miklos, even without doing videos, can't afford insurance?). If an escort wants insurance but doesn't make enough to pay for it, then do what millions of people do: get a job.

 

But until you do, this way to the "Rice Fields"!!!

 

Daddy Sez: BON, Not Funny...

Can you quote some statistics on that? What plan and policies have you looked at? What studies have you conducted or that have been conducted by others that support out your argument? As usual, your stupidity is exceeded only by your arrogance and ignorance.

[Sean Knight]

How do full time escorts/erotic masseurs pay for health insurance? I imagine that it can't be easy. I've always wondered since being an escort, you're not really part of a group health insurance plan, thats assuming that escort agencies don't provide some type of group health insurance plans. Perhaps there are escorts out there who have domestic partnerships and can get insurance through their partner's job? I did meet one healthy erotic masseur in hi early 20s who had a real hard time getting health insurance because of some operation that he had as a kid. He was able to get health insurance eventually, though.

 

So escorts and erotic masseurs, how do you pay for health insurance?

 

I pay for health insurance with cash.

Seriously though, I have an individual policy including dental and it's really not that expensive for me. It's with a national provider. Considering that a normal employer sponsored health insurance plan is typically paid for in part by the employer, it's not that much more than when I was in the corporate world.

[Txpaytoplay]

10 Years ago...I made approximately around $1,200 a week as a salary at my job before taxes. I worked over 40 hours a week. Out of that I paid for health insurance, and 401k and a mortgage, car payment....and still had enough for occassional play with an escort. I guess the point I am making here is if an escort sees just 5 clients a week at $250 that comes out to be $1,250 a week. I know the economy is a little tougher now but I think they should be able to afford a basic medical insurance plan and put some away for savings. Just my thoughts. Not trying to insult anyone...just giving my 2 cents worth.

[+ purplekow]

10 years ago I bough a house for 150,000 even in this economy I could sell it for three times that. Ten years ago it cost me about 15000 a year to provide basic health insurance to my emplyees, now it costs about $3600 a month for fewer employees and less coverage. Times change. Ten years ago many of these escorts were in school.

When I was a kid I walked chest deep in snow 3 miles to school and it was uphil both ways. It was always tougher ten years ago.

[Romann]

Successful, dedicated escorts similar to successful, dedicated business professionals, put in an immense amount of "behind-the-scenes" work. While it isn't necessary for clients to recognize the efforts, it's a bonus when they do.

 

In a marketing presentation, the client won't care that you spent 20+ hours getting prepared for that 1 hour sales pitch. They just care about the sales pitch.

 

 

Like with most things in life, you get out of it what you put in!

 

Thank you for saying that! There is more to an appointment than just showing up - a lot of prep work the day of and honestly every day of the week.

[Romann]

When I worked for top 3 bank for 5 years in Charlotte and Dallas, the company sponsored insurance which was 90 a month for full coverage including dental, vision, life, domestic partner benefits, no deductibles and small co-pays. That was cheap and honestly very much worth the money. Most businesses can't achieve those types of medical plans because they don't offer the customer base that a 250k employee bank could that is around the world and in most major countries in some capacity. To say it's as easy as going out and getting a "traditional job" for medical insurance for those who can't afford it on their own is just not realistic. Many businesses don't even offer insurance of any kind for their employees. That comes from the business not being able to afford the coverage for employees to not caring to cover insurance along with other reasons.

 

Now I pay for an individual policy, one not supported by an employer and the costs between the two are noticeably different. Employer policies enjoy the masses while individual policies don't. Though, as I said in a previous post and stand by, not having insurance is not an option I would want to explore. I'm thankful for my insurance but at the same time, it comes with a cost and one that I feel is getting out of hand due to multiple reasons.

 

All of us are a bad investment, catastrophic medical condition or unemployment incident away from financial ruin.

[Romann]

Oh my!

 

Ten years ago it cost me about 15000 a year to provide basic health insurance to my emplyees, now it costs about $3600 a month for fewer employees and less coverage.

 

Now that is just shocking in a very sad way... (IMO)

[MsGuy]

When I was a kid I walked chest deep in snow 3 miles to school and it was uphill both ways.

 

Barefooted! You forgot to add barefooted. Never be ashamed of your raising.

[Guest MickeyMoosie]

Successful, dedicated escorts similar to successful, dedicated business professionals, put in an immense amount of "behind-the-scenes" work.

 

I'm honestly not trying to be argumentative here, I'm actually curious. "Immense" is a very strong word, so if an "immense amount of 'behind the scenes' work" goes into being an escort, I'd be interested in hearing what several of those things are.

 

For the sake of this discussion, let's stipulate that the gym is one of them. What would three others things be that would constitute an "immense amount of behind the scenes work"? I've had many many friends who have done it over the years and the main thing they do is wait for the phone to ring. Not a single of them talked about any special burdens other than having a sufficient supply of viagra.

 

Until my curiosity is satiated, everyone to the rice fields!!!

[Txpaytoplay]

Quote from BewareofNick "Could you perhaps show me the employee handbook for escorts that you're referring to?"

 

Actually there are several Escort Handbooks on the market. One that comes to mind at the moment is The Male Escort's Handbook. Copywrite 2000 by Aaron Lawrence. I think it could be quite helpful

 

 

 

Another quote by BON "Clients like all different types of escorts, but generally speaking, having a hot, fit, in shape body is something a lot of clients look for. So if an escort wants to make more money, he keeps his body in shape and looking good. Therefore, working out can be considered part of the job. Again, what happens in your world is irrelevant. We're talking the real world here, not yours"

 

Why can't you just state your opinion without downgrading someone else's?

 

 

 

Another quote by BON "As usual, your stupidity is exceeded only by your arrogance and ignorance."

 

Mean spirited don't you think?

[Txpaytoplay]

Quote from MM "For the sake of this discussion, let's stipulate that the gym is one of them. What would three others things be that would constitute an "immense amount of behind the scenes work"? I've had many many friends who have done it over the years and the main thing they do is wait for the phone to ring. Not a single of them talked about any special burdens other than having a sufficient supply of viagra."

 

I think it is all relative. I have know several escorts for quite some time as well. The ones who have truly made a career of it do spend quite a bit of time in the gym and tanning salons. Also, traveling takes a lot out of them when they do their overnights or weekend abroad and it takes time to get things back in order at their home. For the ones who just wait for the phone to ring, they don't seem to get the repeat buiness as the ones who tend to work harder at keeping their appearance up. Just my thoughts on that. Right or wrong...it my 2 cents worth.

[Guest RianB]

Let me also add this......

 

Let's assume that an escort is working 32 hours a week (which is still considered full-time). Using a lowball figure of $125/hr, that means the guy is making, TAX FREE, $4000/wk, $16000/mo and $208,000/yr.

 

For crying out loud, here we go with the figures again...Where do people get these from?

 

Going to the gym isn't part of the job. There are plenty of escorts who make a shitload of money who have never seen the inside of a gym.

 

I'd have to disagree. Just like I have to attend plays and visit museums for Humanities class for 'extra credit' so does going to the gym bussing my ass some weeks. I get 'extra credits' when I show up and look better than my photos. Who cares about other escorts who don't go to the gym, thats them.

 

 

Mr. Moosie. Which country are you living in? Unemploment rates are high and many employers no longer supply health insurance, as the cost is extreme. There is no point arguing as to whether escorts can afford it or not, some can, some can't. For those that cannot, your advice is simple-minded and arrogant.

 

Thankyou!...as if jobs (especially entry level jobs) these days are some type of fortress of health and security. There's no unions in the south

 

if an escort sees just 5 clients a week at $250 that comes out to be $1,250 a week.

 

Really

 

These quotas are giving me a headache. Mostly due to the fact that seeing 5 clients a week at $250 for say, a month....would not happen just staying in 1 typical sized city (everybody doesnt live in New York or L.A.) Not to mention the fact that our income is not static.

 

For the ones who just wait for the phone to ring, they don't seem to get the repeat buiness as the ones who tend to work harder at keeping their appearance up. Just my thoughts on that. Right or wrong...it my 2 cents worth.

 

Right on that one. Not only is escorting physical, its mental. Going to the gym releases endorphins and all that good stuff, increases testosterone and helps to sleep better. All that is good for stress, sex, and sleeping well.

[BewareofNick]

Quote from BewareofNick "Could you perhaps show me the employee handbook for escorts that you're referring to?"

 

Actually there are several Escort Handbooks on the market. One that comes to mind at the moment is The Male Escort's Handbook. Copywrite 2000 by Aaron Lawrence. I think it could be quite helpful

 

Having a guidebook is definitely a good thing, but the implied question was "How can you lecture someone on what they should be doing when you have no expertise to offer yourself?"

 

 

 

Another quote by BON "Clients like all different types of escorts, but generally speaking, having a hot, fit, in shape body is something a lot of clients look for. So if an escort wants to make more money, he keeps his body in shape and looking good. Therefore, working out can be considered part of the job. Again, what happens in your world is irrelevant. We're talking the real world here, not yours"

 

Why can't you just state your opinion without downgrading someone else's?

 

 

 

Another quote by BON "As usual, your stupidity is exceeded only by your arrogance and ignorance."

 

Mean spirited don't you think?

 

You're absolutely right. It was indeed mean spirited and I apologize for having offended you.

 

Rian's post brings home a lot of good points. Preparation is an important part of any service business and shouldn't be discounted.