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Affordable Health Insurance in your state: What Most People Don't Know
Five facts most self-employed people learn the expensive way.
1. "Affordable" on the marketplace means subsidized
HealthCare.gov prices are designed to be offset by the premium tax credit. Without it, you're paying the full cost of a guaranteed-issue pool.
2. There's a second market
Private shared-network plans on Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO price on health instead of income. For healthy people above the subsidy line they're often half the price, with a PPO.
3. Your doctor probably takes the PPO, not the HMO
National PPO networks are what most employer plans use. Many doctors in Houston and Atlanta are in the Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO network and not in the narrow marketplace HMOs.
4. You can enroll in a private plan any month
No waiting for November. Apply by the 20th, coverage on the 1st.
5. The deduction applies either way
If your state has an income tax, the self-employed health premium deduction lowers state taxable income too; in no-income-tax states like Texas, Tennessee and Florida it only helps federally.
And one your state-specific thing
Rules, carriers and prices vary by state — pick your state on our quoter to see exactly what's available where you live.
Check your options to see what affordable actually looks like for your situation.