💰 Write Off 100% of Your Premiums

Self-Employed Health Insurance You Can Write Off.

No employer plan? You’re not stuck. As a self-employed individual, freelancer, 1099 contractor, or LLC owner, you can buy comprehensive ACA coverage — and deduct 100% of your premiums from your taxable income. A licensed FreedInsure broker finds your best plan and largest subsidy, free.

  • Deduct 100% of your health insurance premiums (above-the-line tax deduction)
  • ACA Marketplace plans with income-based premium subsidies
  • HSA-eligible high-deductible plans for triple tax advantages
  • PPO options with any doctor, no referral required
  • Licensed brokers in 42 states — free, no obligation
100%Premium Deduction
42States Licensed
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The tax break most self-employed people miss
If you’re self-employed and not eligible for an employer-subsidized plan (yours or a spouse’s), you can deduct 100% of your health, dental, and qualified long-term care premiums as an above-the-line deduction. That means it lowers your Adjusted Gross Income whether or not you itemize — and a lower AGI can increase the ACA subsidy you qualify for. It’s one of the most valuable and overlooked benefits of buying your own coverage.
FreedInsure brokers are licensed insurance agents, not tax preparers. We’ll explain how the self-employed health insurance deduction generally works — confirm the specifics with your CPA or tax advisor.
Your Options

Best Health Insurance Options for the Self-Employed

There’s no single “self-employed plan” — there are four real paths, and the right one depends on your income, health, and how you want to manage taxes. A broker matches you in minutes.

Most Popular
ACA Marketplace Plans
The primary path for most self-employed people. Comprehensive coverage of all 10 Essential Health Benefits, guaranteed acceptance regardless of health, and premium subsidies based on your net self-employment income. Nearly 30% of Marketplace enrollees are self-employed or freelancers.
Tax Advantage
HSA-Eligible High-Deductible Plans
Pair a qualifying high-deductible ACA plan with a Health Savings Account for a triple tax advantage: contributions are deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical costs are tax-free. Especially powerful for healthy self-employed people who want to lower taxable income.
Broad Network
PPO Plans — Any Doctor
If keeping a wide provider network matters more than the lowest premium, PPO plans through Cigna and First Health let you see any doctor or specialist with no referral. Available year-round — no enrollment window or qualifying event needed.
If You Have Employees
Small Group Coverage
Hiring your first employees? A small group health plan may make more sense than individual coverage — with potential tax advantages and the ability for your LLC or S-corp to deduct premiums as a business expense. We’ll tell you which path fits your structure.
Who We Help

Coverage for Every Kind of Self-Employed

More than 64 million Americans freelanced in 2025. Whatever your work looks like, there’s a plan and a deduction strategy that fits.

💼
Freelancers & Creatives
Writers, designers, developers, photographers, consultants — comprehensive coverage that follows you between clients.
📋
1099 Independent Contractors
No employer coverage means you buy your own — and write off the premiums. We handle the comparison.
🚗
Gig & Rideshare Workers
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and platform workers. Affordable ACA plans sized to variable gig income.
🏢
LLC Owners & Sole Proprietors
Single-member LLCs and sole proprietors get the full self-employed premium deduction. We’ll explain how your LLC interacts with coverage.
📊
Consultants & Solopreneurs
High earners with variable income need careful subsidy planning around the 400% income threshold. That’s where a broker earns their keep.
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S-Corp Owners
More than 2% shareholders have special rules — premiums run through payroll, then deduct. We coordinate with your accountant.
The 2026 Subsidy Reality for Self-Employed Earners

Here’s what changed: the enhanced premium tax credits expired December 31, 2025. For 2026, subsidies reverted to the original ACA scale, and the 400% federal poverty level “subsidy cliff” is back. That means a self-employed person earning even $1 over the threshold can lose their entire subsidy — a cliff that hits variable-income earners especially hard.

This is exactly where a broker matters most. Because you control your taxable income through legitimate deductions, the strategy isn’t just picking a plan — it’s managing your Modified Adjusted Gross Income. Your self-employed health insurance deduction, HSA contributions, and SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) contributions all lower your MAGI, which can pull you back under the cliff and preserve thousands in subsidies.

Estimating income when it’s variable is the hardest part of being self-employed on the Marketplace. Estimate too low and you repay subsidy at tax time; too high and you overpay all year. A FreedInsure broker helps you project realistically, choose the right plan, and coordinate with your tax advisor — so you capture every dollar of subsidy and deduction you’re entitled to.

64M+
Freelancers.worked self-employed in 2025
100%
Deductible.premiums above-the-line
42
States licensed.coverage everywhere
$0
Broker fee.paid by carriers, not you
A Sample of the Carriers We Compare
Ambetter Blue Cross Blue Shield UnitedHealthcare Cigna Oscar Molina First Health
Common Questions

Self-Employed Health Insurance, Answered

The questions our advisors hear most from freelancers, contractors, and business owners.

Can self-employed people deduct health insurance premiums?
Yes. If you’re self-employed and weren’t eligible for an employer-subsidized plan (yours or your spouse’s) during a given month, you can deduct 100% of your health, dental, and qualified long-term care premiums as an above-the-line deduction. It lowers your Adjusted Gross Income whether or not you itemize. The deduction is limited to your net self-employment income. Confirm specifics with your tax advisor.
What’s the best health insurance for self-employed individuals?
For most, an ACA Marketplace plan with subsidies is the best value — comprehensive coverage with guaranteed acceptance. Healthy earners who want to lower taxable income often prefer HSA-eligible high-deductible plans. Those who prioritize a broad network choose PPO plans. The “best” plan depends on your income, health, and tax situation — which is exactly what a broker sorts out for free.
How do I estimate income for ACA subsidies when I’m self-employed?
Use your projected net self-employment income (revenue minus business expenses), not gross revenue. Because subsidies reconcile at tax time, estimating accurately matters: too low and you repay; too high and you overpay all year. A broker helps you build a realistic projection — and factor in deductions that lower your MAGI and increase your subsidy.
Can I get health insurance as a 1099 contractor or gig worker?
Absolutely. 1099 contractors, freelancers, and gig workers (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and others) all qualify for ACA Marketplace coverage with subsidies based on net income. Since gig income is often variable and lower, many gig workers qualify for substantial subsidies — sometimes plans for $30–$100/month.
Should I get an HSA-eligible plan if I’m self-employed?
It’s worth strong consideration if you’re relatively healthy and want to lower taxable income. HSA contributions are tax-deductible (on top of your premium deduction), grow tax-free, and come out tax-free for medical expenses. The 2026 HSA contribution limits let self-employed people shelter meaningful income. The trade-off is a higher deductible, so it fits people who don’t expect heavy medical use.
Can my LLC pay for my health insurance?
It depends on your structure. Single-member LLCs and sole proprietors generally take the self-employed health insurance deduction on their personal return. S-corp owners (more than 2% shareholders) must have the corporation pay or reimburse premiums and report them on their W-2, then deduct personally. The mechanics matter for taxes — we coordinate with your accountant to get it right.
Do I still qualify for subsidies if my income is high?
In 2026, the 400% federal poverty level subsidy cliff is back — earn over it and you lose subsidies entirely. But because you’re self-employed, you have legitimate ways to lower your Modified Adjusted Gross Income: the self-employed health insurance deduction, HSA contributions, and SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) contributions can pull you back under the cliff. This planning is where a broker plus your tax advisor saves you the most.
What does the FreedInsure service cost me?
Nothing. Brokers are paid by the insurance carrier when you enroll — never by you. The premium is identical whether you enroll through us, through HealthCare.gov directly, or through the carrier. Working with a licensed broker just means you get free help comparing every option, projecting your income, and maximizing your deduction and subsidy.
Reviews

What Our Members Say

Your Own Boss. Your Own Coverage.

Comprehensive health insurance, the largest subsidy you qualify for, and a 100% premium deduction — a licensed FreedInsure broker sorts it all in one free call.

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