💰 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, if you aren’t eligible for an employer-subsidized plan, generally deduct 100% of your premiums from your taxable income. A licensed FreedInsure broker finds your best plan and largest subsidy, free.

  • Generally deduct 100% of your premiums if you qualify (above-the-line deduction)
  • ACA Marketplace plans with income-based premium subsidies
  • HSA-eligible high-deductible plans for triple tax advantages
  • Private PPO options that use the Cigna PPO network (not Marketplace plans)
  • Agent licensed in 42 jurisdictions (41 states + DC) — free, no obligation
100%Premium Deduction
42Licensed Jurisdictions
$0Our Fee
No SSN needed for a quote (to enroll, each person applying needs an SSN or immigration document number) · No obligation · Or call (844) 788-3733
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100%Deductible
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’s licensed agent sells insurance and is not a tax preparer. 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 licensed agent can help you choose.

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.
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.
Network Choice
Private PPO Plans
If a specific provider network matters more than the lowest premium, some private plans use the Cigna PPO network or the First Health network. A network is not an insurer: these plans are not Cigna or First Health insurance, and the plan, not the network, sets benefits and pays claims. They aren’t Marketplace plans, so tax credits can’t be used on them, and out-of-network care costs more (some designs don’t cover it except emergencies). You can apply outside Open Enrollment, but approval depends on the plan’s eligibility rules and the start date depends on the plan. If you qualify for a tax credit or have a pre-existing condition, an ACA plan usually wins — we’ll price both.
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

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 can generally take the self-employed premium deduction if they qualify. 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.
💸
S-Corp Owners
More than 2% shareholders have special rules — premiums run through payroll, then deduct. We coordinate with your accountant.
The 2026–2027 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. Under current law it also applies to 2027 coverage, where 400% FPL is about $63,840 for a single person. 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 (for tax years after 2025 there’s no cap on that repayment); 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.

14+
Carriers.compared side by side
100%
Deductible.premiums above-the-line
42
Jurisdictions.Agent licensed in 41 states + DC
$0
Broker fee.our help is free to you
A Sample of the Carriers and Networks We Compare
Ambetter Blue Cross Blue Shield UnitedHealthcare 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 want a specific provider network sometimes compare private PPO plans, which can’t use tax credits. 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, and lower earners may qualify for Medicaid instead. Estimate yours with our 2027 ACA subsidy calculator.
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. For 2027 the IRS limits are $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for family coverage ($4,400 and $8,750 for 2026). 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?
For 2026 coverage, and under current law for 2027 coverage, the 400% federal poverty level subsidy cliff is back (about $63,840 for a single person for 2027) — 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. Our help is free to you. For Marketplace plans, the premium is the same 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.

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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FreedInsure LLC · Licensed agent Constantino Lardi, NPN 20230457 · Serving 42 jurisdictions (41 states + DC)
Licensed insurance agent, not a tax preparer · Privacy Policy
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