Can't afford health care? Barter for it

Subject: Can't afford health care? Barter for it Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:32 pm

In these cash-strapped times, bartering is gaining popularity - even for dental surgery and prescription drugs.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- A few entrepreneurs are exploring a novel solution to the problem of finding affordable health care for themselves and their staff: Swap for it.

Bob Viking, who owns a party supply store and event entertainment company in Portage, Wisc., hasn't had to pay cash for office computers or services like remodeling in seven years. Instead, he barters for them, using a system he's now exploring for health care as well. Viking paid for his own dental surgery with barter "cash," and he recently met with a service that barters dental, eye care and emergency health coverage to discuss building an employee benefit plan.

As the recession drags on, barter is booming. International Monetary Systems (IMS), the network Viking uses, has seen its volume of inquiries double since last year. Business owners with an eye toward cutting costs are increasingly viewing bartering as a viable option for obtaining medical services for themselves and their employees.

More: http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/19/smallbusiness/medical_barter_health_care.smb/index.htm?postversion=2009061904

Can't afford health care? Barter for it

Can't afford health care? Barter for it

Anarcho-Capitalist Categorical Imperatives

AnCaps' Laissez-faire Free Trade Zone