If you freelance, contract, drive for a platform, or run your own one-person business in Florida, there is no employer plan waiting for you, so the coverage decision is yours. The good news is that you have real options, and the right one depends mostly on your income, your doctors, and how predictable your year looks. Here is how it works.
ACA individual plans are the default for most self-employed Floridians. Every plan is guaranteed issue, which means no medical questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions, and they are sold in bronze, silver, gold, and platinum tiers. You can buy through the marketplace or directly through a broker for the same plans, with the difference that subsidies are only available if the plan is purchased through the marketplace.
A spouse's employer plan is often the cheapest route if your spouse has one, so it is worth pricing before you shop on your own.
Medicaid is limited in Florida because the state has not expanded it, so many low-income adults do not qualify even at very low incomes. If your income is low, check marketplace subsidy eligibility rather than assuming you are out of luck.
Short-term plans are cheaper but are not ACA-compliant, can deny or limit coverage for existing conditions, and do not qualify as minimum coverage for most purposes. We rarely recommend them as a primary plan.
Premium tax credits are based on your projected household income for the year, not last year's. For self-employed people the number to estimate is net income after business expenses, not gross revenue. Overestimating can cost you subsidy you were entitled to, and underestimating can mean repaying some of it when you file taxes.
Since the enhanced federal credits expired, households above 400% of the federal poverty level no longer qualify for any credit, so the line matters more than it used to. Our breakdown of why ACA premiums went up in 2026 explains the cliff in detail. If your income changes during the year, update your marketplace application so your credit stays close to what you will actually owe back.
Most self-employed people can deduct 100% of their health, dental, and vision premiums on Schedule 1, without itemizing. The deduction is limited to your net profit from the business, and you cannot claim it for any month you or your spouse could have joined an employer-subsidized plan. See our guide to the self-employed health insurance tax deduction for the details, and confirm your situation with a tax professional.
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027, and December 15 is the deadline for coverage that starts January 1. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, or getting married. Our open enrollment guide has the full calendar.
Start with your doctors and prescriptions, since a lower premium is not a bargain if your providers are out of network. Then think about how much care you actually use. If you are healthy and your income is steady, a lower-premium plan with a higher deductible may fit, and an HSA-eligible bronze or silver plan can add a tax advantage. If you have regular care or a family, a higher tier often costs less overall. A broker can run these comparisons for you at no cost, since carriers pay the commission and your price is the same as buying direct.
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Yes. ACA plans are guaranteed issue, so you cannot be denied for health conditions. You can enroll during open enrollment or when you have a qualifying life event.
It depends on your age, county, plan tier, and income. Subsidies can lower premiums significantly for many households, while those above 400% of the federal poverty level pay full price. A free quote shows your exact numbers.
Generally yes. Most self-employed people can deduct premiums for themselves, a spouse, and dependents, up to their net business profit, as long as they were not eligible for an employer-subsidized plan that month.
Use your projected net income for the year, which is revenue minus deductible business expenses, plus any other household income. Update it if your income changes during the year.
Tell us your county, income, and doctors. We will show you the options and the real cost, for free.
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