Self-Employed? You Are Your Own HR Department Now
1099, sole proprietor, or LLC — here is how to approach coverage when no employer is offering it.
I’m Christopher Horne, a licensed health insurance broker serving Florida, Texas, Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia. Self-employed clients are some of my favorite people to help, because a careful income estimate and a real doctor check can change the whole comparison.
Who This Guide Is For
- Freelancers and independent contractors paid on 1099 forms.
- Sole proprietors and single-member LLC owners.
- Realtors, drivers, tradespeople, creators, and consultants.
- Anyone leaving a job to work for themselves.
Start With an Honest Income Estimate
Marketplace eligibility is generally based on the household income you expect for the coverage year. Self-employment income can move month to month, so we build an honest, supportable estimate together and talk about what to do if your income changes during the year. I am not your tax advisor — for tax treatment of premiums or business deductions, check with your CPA or tax professional.
Routes Self-Employed People Commonly Compare
- Marketplace health coverage: Individual and family plans offered through the Marketplace, with eligibility based on household, income, and other factors.
- Private supplemental coverage: Separate dental, vision, accident, or hospital-related supplemental products may be available depending on state and product rules. Supplemental coverage is not a substitute for major medical coverage — we will be clear about what each product does and does not do.
- Small-business routes: If you have employees, see my small business options page for general concepts to discuss.
What to Check Before You Enroll
- Your doctors, clinics, and hospitals in network.
- Prescription coverage for medications you take regularly.
- How often you use care — occasional visits are different from ongoing treatment.
- Whether dental or vision needs to be handled separately.
- Important dates: Open Enrollment, or a Special Enrollment Period if you recently lost other coverage.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not guess low on income just to see a different result, and do not rely on last year’s income if this year looks different. An accurate estimate now helps avoid surprises later. If your income changes, tell me — updating information promptly matters.
How I Help
Tell me your state, how you earn, your household, your doctors, and your prescriptions. I will help you compare options and explain next steps. Eligibility depends on your situation — for a free check, call or text me at 954-787-9118.
Get a Free Self-Employed Coverage Check
Tell me how you work and I will help you compare the routes that fit.
Also Helpful
Prefer to do it yourself? Skip the waiting.
Step 1: run the 60-second subsidy calculator first — see your likely lane, then come back and enroll.
No phone queue, no hold music. Enroll through my link in minutes — it makes me your agent of record, and I review every signup personally the same day. If anything needs fixing, I call you.
Start My Application →Rather talk first? Book a free call or text me at 954-787-9118. Eligibility depends on your situation.
Get a Free Quote
Fill this out and it turns into a text message to me with everything I need to start your quote. I’ll take it from there — personally.
- No call centers, no phone trees — you talk to me.
- Licensed in sixteen states.
- There’s no fee for my help. The insurance company pays me, not you.