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Self-employed and 1099 health insurance options
Freelancers, gig workers and owners can compare Marketplace plans, private off-exchange plans, HSA-eligible options, and small-group coverage. Check HealthCare.gov for premium tax credits before you assume a private plan is cheaper.
Start with whether Marketplace savings apply
If you are self-employed, a freelancer, a gig worker, or a 1099 contractor and you do not have job-based coverage, you can apply for a Marketplace plan during Open Enrollment, or outside it if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. When you apply on HealthCare.gov or your state Marketplace, you will see whether premium tax credits or Medicaid or CHIP may apply based on your household income.
Self-employed people often have income that changes through the year. Marketplace savings use your estimated income for the full calendar year. If that estimate is wrong, you may have to repay or recapture credit when you file taxes. A licensed agent or a tax professional can help you think through the estimate; this site does not give tax advice.
Private, off-exchange plans
Some self-employed people who do not qualify for meaningful Marketplace savings compare private PPO or major-medical plans sold outside the exchange, including some HSA-eligible designs where they are offered. Many of those plans are medically underwritten: the carrier’s application, not this website, decides price and approval. Plan networks, deductibles, and what is covered vary.
This site is built for people who want to look at those options and, if they choose, request a call from one licensed agency. Your information is never resold. We do not ask for your Social Security number or medical history to request that call.
When a small-group plan may be better
If you have employees, or you and a spouse both work in the business, a small-group plan (often for about 2 to 50 employees) can be a better fit than a stack of individual policies. Rules on who can be counted, and whether a one-person business can buy group coverage, depend on state and carrier. Send a census to a licensed agent rather than guessing from a website.
Common questions
Can I get health insurance if I am self-employed and it is not Open Enrollment?
You can enroll in a Marketplace plan outside Open Enrollment only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Some private, off-exchange plans accept applications in other months. A licensed agent can explain which options are available in your state.
Do I have to share my exact income on this site?
No. The form uses broad household income bands so the agent can discuss whether Marketplace savings may apply, and so people who may qualify for lower-cost Marketplace coverage can be pointed to HealthCare.gov. We do not ask for tax returns or a Social Security number.
Related guides
Reviewed November 13, 2026. Educational only — not insurance, tax or legal advice. This is not a government website.
Sources
Compare private plans in your state
Open a state page for Marketplace type and Open Enrollment notes.
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Not available in Washington State.
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One licensed agency. No SSN. Never resold.