Self-employed, 1099 or gig work?

When you can enroll

• Becoming self-employed isn't a Special Enrollment Period by itself. You can enroll during Open Enrollment (Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov).
• If you left a job and lost job-based coverage to go out on your own, that loss usually gives you 60 days. See lost job or coverage.

Estimating your income

• Use the income you expect from your business after expenses for the year you want coverage, not last year's number.
• Income that goes up and down is normal. Make your best estimate, then update it during the year if it changes, so your tax credit stays close to right.
• The credit is settled on your tax return. If you earn more than you estimated, you may owe some back. More on that here.

The self-employed health insurance deduction

If you have self-employment profit, you may be able to deduct health premiums you pay (IRS Form 7206). It doesn't apply for months you could get a subsidized employer plan, through your own job or a spouse's. When you also get a premium tax credit, the two affect each other, so the math gets complicated. See IRS Publication 974 and talk with a tax professional.

Marketplace or private?

Marketplace plans come with income-based savings. Private plans can be worth comparing for some healthy people who don't qualify for much savings, but they are not ACA plans: they're medically underwritten, approval isn't guaranteed, they may not cover pre-existing conditions, and they don't qualify for tax credits. I'll show you both.

Special Enrollment Period basics

• Most life changes give you 60 days to pick a plan. Losing Medicaid or CHIP gives you 90 days on HealthCare.gov.
• You may need to upload documents that prove the change, generally within 30 days of picking a plan. Your coverage can't be used until that's confirmed and your first premium is paid.
• States that run their own Marketplace may have their own rules and dates. I'll check yours.
• Private plans have their own enrollment rules. They are not ACA plans: they're medically underwritten, approval isn't guaranteed, they may not cover pre-existing conditions, and they don't qualify for tax credits.