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Self-Employed · 1099 · Freelancers · Small Business Owners

Health Insurance for the Self-Employed & Small Business Owners

No employer plan? You still have strong options. Compare private PPO plans, ACA coverage and small group plans side by side with a licensed advisor, and find the one that fits your income, your doctors and your business.

Get a Free Quote →📞 (800) 939-3330 ext 150
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Who This Page Is For

If you earn your living on your own, you buy your own coverage. We help people like this every week:

Freelancers & 1099 contractors
Sole proprietors & single-member LLCs
Realtors, mortgage & insurance professionals
Consultants, creatives & gig workers
Owners with a few employees
Business owners covering a spouse & kids

Your Health Insurance Options When You're Self-Employed

Your income changes, your schedule is your own, and no HR department is picking a plan for you. Here's every realistic path.

Often the best value for healthy households

1. Private PPO Health Insurance

Individual PPO plans offered outside the ACA marketplace, built on large national networks such as Aetna, First Health and PHCS. They're priced on your health profile rather than your income, so a good year in your business doesn't raise your premium.

  • Premiums aren't tied to income, so there's no subsidy to repay at tax time if business beats your estimate
  • Nationwide PPO networks with no referrals needed for specialists
  • Year-round enrollment in most cases, so you can start any month
  • Family coverage for your spouse and children on one plan

See the current private PPO plan lineup →

Who qualifies?

Usually a good fit: people in average health, including conditions managed mostly with medication, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or thyroid conditions.

Generally not a fit right now: anyone currently in treatment for a major medical condition, such as active cancer treatment, dialysis or an upcoming major surgery.

Every application is reviewed individually, so the simplest way to know is to ask.

Check If I Qualify →

2

ACA Marketplace Plans

Guaranteed-issue plans through HealthCare.gov or your state exchange, like Covered California. Subsidies are based on your estimated net self-employment income, which can work well in a lean year but means reconciling at tax time if income comes in higher.

Best for: lower or uneven incomes, or anyone in active treatment.
3

Small Group Health Plans

Once you have at least one eligible employee who isn't you or your spouse, you may qualify for a small group plan. Group plans can offer richer benefits and let the business pay premiums. Employer group health insurance →

Best for: owners with W-2 employees who want to offer benefits.
4

HRAs (QSEHRA & ICHRA)

Instead of a group plan, a business can reimburse employees tax-free for individual coverage they choose themselves. A QSEHRA is for employers with fewer than 50 employees; an ICHRA works for any size and lets you set allowances by employee class.

Best for: small teams spread across different states or needs.
5

Hybrid & Health Sharing

A routine-care plan with copays paired with a catastrophic cost-sharing layer can cost far less than a full-price ACA plan. It isn't insurance and has its own guidelines. Health sharing vs. insurance →

Best for: budget-focused, healthy households.

Not sure which path fits your business? We'll compare them all for your age, ZIP code and income.

Compare My Options →Book a Consultation

Which Option Fits Your Situation?

Find the row that sounds like you for the best place to start.

Healthy or managing conditions with medication, and income above the subsidy range
Start with private PPO plans. This is usually where self-employed households save the most.
Income varies a lot from year to year
Compare both. A private plan avoids subsidy repayment surprises; an ACA plan can win in a low-income year.
Currently in treatment for a major condition
An ACA marketplace plan is the safer path for now.
You have one or more W-2 employees
Look at a small group plan or an HRA, and compare against individual plans for the owner.
You need major dental work, like implants or crowns

Tax Breaks for Self-Employed Health Insurance

Self-employed health insurance deduction. If you're self-employed and not eligible for an employer-subsidized plan through your own or a spouse's job, you can generally deduct premiums for yourself, your spouse and your dependents. It's an adjustment to income, so you get it whether or not you itemize. See the IRS page on Form 7206.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Pairing an HSA-eligible high-deductible plan with an HSA lets you set money aside tax-free for medical costs. Ask us which plans in your area are HSA-eligible.

We're insurance advisors, not tax professionals. Check with your CPA or tax preparer about your own situation.

How We Help Self-Employed Clients

One conversation covers every option, at no cost to you.

1

Compare everything

Private PPO, ACA, group and HRA options side by side, priced for your household.

2

Keep your doctors

We check your doctors and hospitals against each plan's network before you apply.

3

Fast answers

We usually reply within one business hour, and most private plans can start the first of next month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best health insurance for self-employed people?

It depends on your health and income. For healthy households with income above the subsidy range, a private PPO plan is often the lowest-cost option with the broadest network. For lower or uneven incomes, or anyone in active treatment, a subsidized ACA marketplace plan may be the better choice.

Can I get health insurance through my LLC?

A single-member LLC with no employees usually buys individual coverage, not a group plan. Once the business has at least one eligible employee who isn't the owner or the owner's spouse, it may qualify for a small group plan or an HRA.

Can I buy self-employed health insurance outside open enrollment?

Private medical plans generally accept applications year-round. ACA marketplace plans require open enrollment or a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage.

Are health insurance premiums tax-deductible if I'm self-employed?

Generally yes. Self-employed people who aren't eligible for an employer-subsidized plan can usually deduct premiums for themselves, a spouse and dependents as an adjustment to income. Confirm the details with your tax professional.

Does my income affect a private PPO plan's price?

No. Private plans are priced on age, location and health profile, not income. That means no subsidy reconciliation at tax time, which many business owners prefer.

Can I cover my family on a self-employed plan?

Yes. Both private PPO plans and ACA plans can cover your spouse and children on one policy.

Talk It Through With a Licensed Advisor

A 15-minute call is usually enough to rule options in or out and show you real prices for your household. No cost, no obligation.

Get a Free Quote →Book a Consultation📞 (800) 939-3330 ext 150

Insure Health Plans | Compare Healthcare Insurance & Medicare Plans — National Producer License # 2764713, CA Ins. Lic. # 0G03485. We are an independent insurance agency, not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or any government program, including HealthCare.gov or Covered California. Plan availability, benefits, eligibility and underwriting vary by state and carrier, and approval for medically underwritten plans is not guaranteed. Health sharing arrangements are not insurance. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice.

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