How Much Does Health Insurance Cost for the Self-Employed?

Self-employed people pay the full cost of coverage themselves, so the first question is always subsidy eligibility. Because ACA premium tax credits are income-based, many freelancers and 1099 workers qualify for meaningful help, and a subsidized Marketplace plan is usually the best starting point.

If your income is too high for a subsidy and you are healthy, lower-cost paths open up: an HSA-eligible High-Deductible Health Plan (whose premiums may be tax-deductible via the self-employed health insurance deduction), or a health-sharing membership — with the caveat that sharing is not insurance and limits pre-existing conditions.

Many self-employed people also pair Direct Primary Care (a flat monthly fee for unlimited primary care) with a big-expense plan, getting accessible everyday care at a predictable price while staying protected against a catastrophic event.