Coverage guides

Florida Health Insurance 2027: What Changes if You're 1099

What changes for Floridians who buy their own coverage in 2027: the $63,840 credit line, no cap on paybacks, the enrollment dates, and how to pick your path.

Alabama Home Builders and the 21% Rate Jump (2026)

Alabama's full-price marketplace rates rose about 21.1% for 2026. A scenario guide for home builders paid in draws and closings, with or without a tax credit.

Arkansas Business Owners: Why Gold Can Cost Less Than Silver

Arkansas prices silver plans high on purpose, so at full price gold often costs less. A scenario guide for small-business owners, with or without a tax credit.

COBRA alternatives: run the real math before you pay

COBRA costs the full premium plus a fee. Here is how the 60-day window really works, the alternatives, and the cases where COBRA is still the right call.

Leaving a Colorado Job to Consult: Health Insurance (2026)

Colorado sells no short-term health plans, and its continuation law needs six months of prior coverage. A scenario guide for consultants leaving a W-2 job.

Health Insurance for Colorado Travel Nurses (2026)

Colorado's 2026 marketplace has HMO and EPO plans, no PPO, and no short-term plans for the gap between contracts. How Colorado travel nurses choose coverage.

Health Insurance for Colorado Consultants Who Travel (2026)

Colorado's 2026 marketplace has HMO and EPO plans and no PPO, and full prices rose about 21.2%. How consultants with out-of-state clients choose coverage.

Delaware Financial Advisors: Health Insurance in 2026

Delaware rates rose 27.7% for 2026, the marketplace drops to two insurers for 2027, and short-term plans stop at three months. Scenarios for 1099 advisors.

Health Insurance for Florida 1099 Catastrophe Adjusters

Storm season sets a Florida adjuster's income and open enrollment opens before it ends. How 1099 cat adjusters pick coverage that holds up on deployment.

Florida Owner-Operators: Health Insurance on the Road

For Florida owner-operator truckers: why net profit, not gross, sets your tax credit, and what to do when the Florida PPO costs about twice as much.

Florida Travel Nurses and the Marketplace PPO Price Gap

Florida's marketplace sells a PPO, but in most counties it costs about twice other silver plans. A scenario guide for travel nurses who call Florida home.

Georgia Realtors and the 2026 Health Insurance Rate Jump

Georgia's full-price marketplace rates rose about 34.6% for 2026. For realtors on commission, the right path turns on one question: do you qualify for a credit?

Health Insurance for 1099 Contractors

Contracts end, and COBRA usually does not apply when they do. How 1099 contractors handle coverage gaps, uneven income, and enrolment timing.

Health coverage between jobs: your options in the gap

Losing job coverage opens a limited enrolment window. What triggers it, how long you get, and the real risk of going bare for just a couple of months.

Illinois Appraisers and the 2026 Health Insurance Increase

Illinois marketplace rates rose 28.8% for 2026 on a brand-new state marketplace, and two insurers are leaving. What appraisers can do, scenario by scenario.

Illinois Freelancers: When Gold Costs Less Than Silver

Illinois loads extra cost onto silver plans for 2026, so gold can cost less after your credit. How freelancers in the subsidy range should pick a metal level.

Illinois Consultants Who Travel: PPO Health Insurance

On Get Covered Illinois the PPO typically runs about 57% above the lowest silver plan. How self-employed consultants who travel to clients choose coverage.

Indiana Truck Owner-Operators: Health Insurance in 2026

Indiana marketplace rates rose roughly 27% for 2026, and no PPO medical plan is sold there. How regional and over-the-road owner-operators sort it out.

Kansas Custom Harvesters: Health Insurance for 2026

Every 2026 Kansas marketplace medical plan is an EPO, and the harvest runs through several states. What custom cutters can do, one scenario at a time.

Kentucky Consultants and the 33.5% kynect Price Jump

Kentucky's benchmark premium rose 33.5% for 2026, kynect has three insurers and every medical plan is an HMO. What 1099 consultants can do, by scenario.

Health Insurance for Kentucky Travel Nurses (2026)

Kynect's 2026 medical plans are all HMOs from three insurers, and the benchmark rose 33.5%. How Kentucky travel nurses choose coverage for assignments.

Louisiana Claims Adjusters: Health Insurance in 2026

Louisiana's marketplace PPO typically runs about 48% above the lowest silver plan. How 1099 claims adjusters in Louisiana choose coverage, year by year.

Louisiana Roofers: Health Insurance When Storms Set the Year

Louisiana's benchmark premium rose 23.3% for 2026, and roofers must estimate income before storm season. A scenario guide, with or without a tax credit.

Maryland Contractors Who Travel: PPO Health Insurance

Maryland's marketplace PPO starts about 64% above the lowest silver plan. A scenario guide for self-employed government contractors who travel for work.

Maryland Government Contractors Near the 400% Subsidy Line

Maryland's state subsidy reaches 400% of the poverty level for 2026, then stops with the federal credit. A guide for 1099 consultants on government contracts.

Michigan Engineering Contractors: Health Insurance in 2026

Michigan's benchmark premium rose 29.5% for 2026, and state law caps short-term plans at 185 days. A scenario guide for contract engineers between programs.

Michigan Travel Nurses: PPO Health Insurance in 2026

Michigan's marketplace PPO usually costs about a third more than the lowest silver plan. A guide for travel nurses on contract gaps, credits and full price.

Missed Open Enrollment? Options When You Work for Yourself

Missed the open enrollment deadline? What still opens the marketplace, what counts as a life event, and what a self-employed person can do in the meantime.

Mississippi Practice Owners and the 36.5% Rate Jump (2026)

Mississippi's benchmark marketplace premium rose about 36.5% for 2026. A scenario guide for practice owners: with a tax credit, without one, healthy or not.

Missouri HVAC and Electrical Contractors: Health Insurance

Missouri lets you keep a small employer's plan on terms modeled on federal COBRA, and every 2026 marketplace plan is an EPO. For HVAC and electrical pros.

Missouri Owner-Operators and Team Drivers: Health Insurance

Every 2026 Missouri marketplace medical plan is an EPO. How owner-operators and husband-and-wife teams cover themselves in a good freight year and a slow one.

Montana Construction Contractors: Health Insurance 2026

Montana's benchmark premium rose 24.9% for 2026 and one of three marketplace insurers is leaving. A scenario guide for self-employed builders and trades.

Quitting a Nebraska Firm to Consult: Health Insurance

Quit a small Nebraska firm and its plan usually ends on your last day, since state continuation covers only involuntary job loss. What engineers do instead.

Nebraska Owner-Operators: Health Insurance for 2026

Most Nebraska marketplace plans are EPOs, and the PPO reaches only 34 of 93 counties. A guide for drivers leasing on or running their own authority.

Las Vegas Event Contractors and the Battle Born Plans

Nevada added Battle Born State Plans for 2026 and benchmark prices rose 20%. What 1099 convention and event production contractors in Las Vegas can do.

Health Insurance for Nevada Touring Crews (2026)

Every 2026 Nevada Health Link medical plan is an HMO or EPO, with no PPO. How touring crews based in Nevada choose coverage that works on the road.

North Carolina Tax Preparers: Health Insurance in 2026

Most of a tax practice's fees arrive in four months, but premiums are due in all twelve. How NC preparers and solo CPAs handle 2026's 25.8% benchmark jump.

Health Insurance for Ohio Travel Nurses (2026)

Ohio's 2026 marketplace is all HMO, and an agency offer can cancel your tax credit. How travel nurses with an Ohio home base choose coverage.

Health Insurance for Ohio Owner-Operators on the Road (2026)

Every medical plan on Ohio's 2026 marketplace is an HMO. How owner-operators who haul out of state find coverage that works on the road, scenario by scenario.

Oklahoma Remodelers and 2026 Health Insurance Costs

Oklahomans getting a tax credit saw their average premium rise from $58 to $98 in 2026. A scenario guide for remodelers, with or without a credit.

2027 Open Enrollment for the Self-Employed: Dates by State

Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage starts November 1. Here are the deadlines state by state and how to decide your next step when you work for yourself.

Open Enrollment Checklist for 1099 Workers: 2027 Coverage

A step-by-step open enrollment checklist for 1099 workers buying 2027 coverage: the income to report, the documents to keep, and the deadlines that matter.

PPO Health Insurance by State: Yes, in All 31 We Serve

Yes, you can get a nationwide PPO in all 31 states we serve, even the 11 where the 2026 marketplace sells no PPO medical plan. State table from CMS data.

Retiring before 65: bridging the gap to Medicare

The years between your last paycheck and Medicare can be the costliest for coverage. How the gap works, and the income lever retirees have that workers lack.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Alabama (2026)

Alabama uses HealthCare.gov, has not expanded Medicaid and has no small-employer continuation law. What that means if you buy your own coverage.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas expanded Medicaid, is adding a work requirement for 2027, and prices silver plans in an unusual way. What that means when you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Colorado (2026)

Colorado runs its own marketplace, adds state premium help and reinsurance, and keeps short-term plans off the market. What that means if you work for yourself.

The Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction

You can deduct what you pay for your own health insurance. Here's exactly what qualifies, how the deduction works, and how it changes the real cost of coverage.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Delaware (2026)

Delaware uses HealthCare.gov, expanded Medicaid, runs a reinsurance program and tightly limits short-term plans. What that means when you buy your own coverage.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Florida

Florida uses the federal marketplace and has no state exchange. What that means for self-employed Floridians, and what is genuinely state-specific.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Georgia (2026)

Georgia runs Georgia Access, covers adults only up to 100% of poverty through Pathways, and saw steep 2026 rate hikes. What it means if you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Illinois (2026)

Illinois moved to its own marketplace for 2026, bans short-term plans, and changed how silver plans are priced. What that means if you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Indiana (2026)

Indiana uses HealthCare.gov, runs expanded Medicaid through HIP with work rules from 2027, and prices plans its own way. What that means for the self-employed.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Iowa (2026)

Iowa uses HealthCare.gov, expanded Medicaid, and has six marketplace insurers for 2026. What that means for farmers, contractors and other self-employed Iowans.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Kansas (2026)

Kansas uses HealthCare.gov, has not expanded Medicaid, and offers no state premium help. What that means when you buy your own health coverage in 2026.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Kentucky (2026)

Kentucky uses its own exchange, kynect. Medicaid is expanded, three insurers compete, and 2026 prices jumped. What that means when you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Louisiana (2026)

Louisiana uses HealthCare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2016, and has five marketplace insurers. What self-employed Louisianans should know about coverage in 2026.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Maryland (2026)

Maryland runs its own exchange, adds state premium help up to 400% of poverty, and uses reinsurance. What that means when you pay for your own coverage in 2026.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Michigan (2026)

Michigan uses HealthCare.gov, covers low-income adults through the Healthy Michigan Plan, and saw 2026 prices climb. What that means if you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Mississippi (2026)

Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, and its 2026 benchmark premium rose about 36.5%. What that means when you buy your own health coverage.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Missouri (2026)

Missouri uses HealthCare.gov and expanded Medicaid by a vote of its own residents. What that means for coverage when you work for yourself in 2026.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Montana (2026)

Montana has three marketplace insurers, a reinsurance program extended through 2029, and expanded Medicaid. Your coverage options if you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Nebraska (2026)

Nebraska voters expanded Medicaid, a work requirement began in May 2026, and the 2026 benchmark premium hit $710 a month. Your options if you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Nevada (2026)

Nevada runs Nevada Health Link, launched Battle Born State Plans for 2026 and has no state income tax. What that means if you buy your own coverage.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023 and holds short-term plans to the federal rule. Your coverage options when you work for yourself in 2026.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Ohio (2026)

Ohio expanded Medicaid, uses HealthCare.gov and has 11 marketplace insurers. How each path works when you buy your own coverage in 2026.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Oklahoma (2026)

Oklahoma is moving toward its own exchange, expanded SoonerCare by ballot, and saw 2026 rates climb. What that means if you buy your own coverage.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina uses HealthCare.gov, has not expanded Medicaid, and approved a 19.5% average rate increase for 2026. Your options if you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in South Dakota (2026)

South Dakota has three marketplace insurers, expanded Medicaid in 2023 and saw a 6.4% average rate change for 2026. Coverage options if you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Tennessee (2026)

Tennessee rates jumped about 37.5% for 2026, TennCare is not expanded, and there is no income tax. How self-employed Tennesseans can approach coverage.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Texas (2026)

Texas uses HealthCare.gov, has not expanded Medicaid and has no state income tax. What that means when you buy your own coverage in 2026.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Utah (2026)

Utah expanded Medicaid, faces a work requirement in 2027, and saw a 14.2% average rate increase for 2026. How to buy coverage when you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Virginia (2026)

Virginia runs its own marketplace, expanded Medicaid and uses reinsurance to hold premiums down. How that shapes coverage when you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in West Virginia (2026)

West Virginia has two marketplace insurers, a $1,073 benchmark premium and Medicaid expansion since 2014. How to approach coverage when you work for yourself.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Wisconsin (2026)

Wisconsin never took the Medicaid expansion yet has no coverage gap, runs a reinsurance program and has 11 insurers. Your 2026 options when self-employed.

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Wyoming (2026)

Wyoming has a $1,090 benchmark premium, two marketplace insurers, no Medicaid expansion and no income tax. What that means if you are self-employed in 2026.

South Dakota Ranchers: Health Insurance Choices in 2026

In 24 of South Dakota's 66 counties, ranchers choose between two marketplace insurers. A scenario guide for ranch and farm families buying their own coverage.

The Subsidy Cliff, Explained for the Self-Employed

Just over the subsidy cutoff, your premium can jump overnight. Where the 2026 line sits, why it came back, and what people above it actually do.

Tennessee Contractors and the 37.5% Rate Jump (2026)

Tennessee marketplace prices rose about 37.5% for 2026. A plain scenario guide for contractors and trades paid by the job, with or without a tax credit.

Health Insurance for Tennessee Travel Nurses (2026)

Every Tennessee marketplace medical plan is an EPO for 2026, and full prices rose about 37.5%. How travel nurses with a Tennessee home base choose coverage.

Health Insurance for Texas Catastrophe Adjusters (2026)

Texas-based 1099 catastrophe adjusters deploy wherever storms hit. How to choose coverage when the marketplace has no PPO and storm income arrives late.

Texas Oilfield Contractors and the 2026 Premium Jump

Texas marketplace premiums rose about a third for 2026. How oilfield and energy contractors handle it in a slow year, a strong year and a mid-year swing.

Health Insurance for Texas Owner-Operators on the Road

For Texas owner-operators who run out of state: the 2026 marketplace has no PPO medical plans, and your net after truck costs decides your path.

College Kid Out of State? Texas Family Health Coverage

Self-employed Texas parents with a student at college in another state: how to keep them covered when every Texas marketplace plan is HMO, EPO or POS.

PPO Health Insurance for Texas Travel Gig Workers (2026)

The Texas marketplace sells no PPO medical plans for 2026. A plain walk-through for travel nurses, techs and crews based in Texas who work in other states.

Texas Travel Nurses: Agency Plan or Your Own Coverage?

Texas travel nurses on 13-week contracts: when the agency plan makes sense, how stipends and agency offers affect a tax credit, and a no-PPO marketplace.

Turning 26: coming off a parent's plan

Coming off a parent's plan is a deadline, not a suggestion. What happens at 26, the window it opens, and the options if you work for yourself.

Health Insurance for Utah Traveling Field Technicians

Utah's 2026 marketplace sells HMO and EPO medical plans, no PPO. How self-employed field techs whose territory crosses state lines pick coverage.

Southwest Utah Contractors: Health Insurance Costs (2026)

In Washington and Iron counties, three insurers sell marketplace plans and the benchmark runs far above Salt Lake. What southwest Utah contractors can do.

Health Insurance for Virginia Consultants Who Travel (2026)

Virginia's marketplace PPO is sold only in a few Northern Virginia localities. How consultants in Richmond and Hampton Roads get coverage that travels.

Health Insurance for Virginia Owner-Operators (2026)

Outside Northern Virginia, the 2026 marketplace sells HMO and EPO medical plans and no PPO. What Virginia owner-operators on long hauls can do.

West Virginia Practice Owners and $1,073 Premiums (2026)

West Virginia's 2026 benchmark premium averages $1,073 a month and its insurer lineup is changing. A scenario guide for practice owners, credit or no credit.

What Health Coverage Really Costs When Self-Employed

What moves the price of your health insurance when self-employed, what does not, and how to compare plan costs honestly.

What “Medically Underwritten” Actually Means

Medically underwritten means the insurer can weigh your health history. What that changes, who it suits, who it does not, and what to ask before you sign.

Wisconsin Contractors and the 30% County Rate Hikes (2026)

One insurer raised 2026 rates 16.6% statewide but over 30% in Jefferson and Walworth counties. A guide for self-employed contractors in southeast Wisconsin.

Wyoming Ranchers 55 to 64 and the 2026 Premium Jump

Wyoming ranchers in their late 50s and early 60s face some of the highest marketplace prices in the U.S. What to do with a tax credit, without one, and at 65.