Yes. As a solo self-employed person in Florida, you can buy an ACA marketplace plan at healthcare.gov (or off-exchange through a broker) with no employer or minimum-employee requirement, and you may qualify for a premium tax credit if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. You enroll during Open Enrollment or after a qualifying life event.
It’s one of the most common questions I hear from solo workers in the DeLand and Volusia County area: “I’m self-employed — just me, no employees. Can I even get health insurance?” Being a one-person business does not disqualify you from anything. Let’s walk through exactly what’s available to you.
You Qualify for ACA Marketplace Plans — Full Stop
The Affordable Care Act marketplace was built with people like you in mind. Whether you’re a freelance graphic designer in Daytona Beach, a contractor in DeLand, or a solo consultant working from your kitchen table in Deltona, you are eligible to shop for coverage on healthcare.gov — Florida’s federally run marketplace. There is no employer requirement. There is no minimum number of employees. The only requirement is that you’re a U.S. citizen or qualifying resident living in Florida.
Florida has one of the largest ACA markets in the country, and for 2027 carriers like Florida Blue, Ambetter from Sunshine Health, Oscar, UnitedHealthcare, and AvMed compete for your business across Central Florida counties like Volusia, Orange, and Seminole. (Cigna and Molina are leaving Florida’s individual market for 2027, so current enrollees with those carriers should actively choose a new plan.) The market has also gotten tougher: roughly 440,000 Floridians lost marketplace coverage in the first two months of 2026, and proposed 2027 rates are up an average of 15.3%.
What the Marketplace Actually Covers
Every plan sold on healthcare.gov must include the ACA’s ten essential health benefits: doctor visits, emergency care, hospitalization, mental health services, prescription drugs, preventive care, and more. Plans are organized into metal tiers — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — based on how costs are split between you and the insurance company. You pay a monthly premium, and depending on your tier, you’ll have a deductible and cost-sharing when you actually use care.
As a self-employed person, you estimate your net income for the year when you apply. That number determines whether you qualify for a Premium Tax Credit — commonly called a subsidy — that reduces your monthly premium. Subsidies are available to individuals earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (around $15,960 to $63,840 for a single person for 2027 coverage). The enhanced subsidies that extended help above that range expired at the end of 2025, so the 400% “subsidy cliff” is back. The subsidy calculator at healthcare.gov lets you run the numbers before you commit to anything — and our guide to subsidies for self-employed people explains the details.
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment Periods
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027; enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1. Miss this window and you generally have to wait — unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
Special Enrollment Periods are triggered by life events: losing coverage from a previous employer, getting married, having a baby, moving to a new county, or losing Medicaid eligibility. If you recently left a job and lost your group plan, that qualifying event gives you 60 days to enroll in a marketplace plan regardless of where we are in the calendar year. One important note for self-employed individuals: losing coverage is an SEP trigger, but voluntarily leaving a job — without losing coverage right away — may not always qualify. Timing matters, so it’s worth getting guidance specific to your situation. See when you can enroll in health insurance as self-employed.
What About Medicaid? Florida Has a Catch
Medicaid is free or very low-cost health coverage for people with low incomes, and it’s worth knowing about — but Florida has a significant limitation here. Florida has not adopted the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. That means most working-age adults without dependent children are not eligible for Medicaid in Florida, regardless of how low their income is.
If you’re a solo self-employed person with no kids and a low income, you may fall into what’s called the coverage gap — earning too little to qualify for marketplace subsidies (which start at 100% of the federal poverty level) but not meeting Florida’s narrow Medicaid eligibility rules. This is a real and frustrating problem. If you’re in this situation, a broker can help you identify the best available fallback options.
Medicaid is available in Florida for parents and caretakers of minor children at very low income thresholds, and pregnant women and children (through Florida KidCare) have broader eligibility. Seniors and people with disabilities have separate rules entirely. For other options, see free and low-cost health insurance in Florida.
Short-Term Health Plans: A Stopgap, Not a Solution
If you’re between coverage windows — say, you just went out on your own and Open Enrollment is three months away — short-term health plans can fill the gap. These plans are sold outside the ACA marketplace, typically cost less per month, and can be issued quickly. A 2024 federal rule limits them to 3 months initially and 4 months total, though federal agencies announced in August 2025 they would not prioritize enforcing that limit.
The catch is real, though. Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant. They can deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, exclude mental health and maternity coverage, cap your total benefits, and leave you exposed to high out-of-pocket costs if something serious happens. Think of them as a bridge — useful if you need something temporary, but not a substitute for real coverage. If you’re generally healthy and just need something for a few months while waiting for Open Enrollment, a short-term plan may be worth considering with eyes wide open.
Being Solo Doesn’t Limit You
There’s a persistent myth that you need to be on a company plan to get “real” health insurance. That’s simply not true. Solo self-employed people in Florida have the same access to the same plans as anyone else — often with the added advantage of income-based subsidies that W-2 employees on employer plans can’t access. You can get comprehensive coverage with major Florida carriers, protect yourself from catastrophic medical costs, and pay less than you might expect once subsidies are factored in.
The one thing that does matter is that you navigate the options correctly. Picking the wrong metal tier, missing a special enrollment window, or underestimating your income on the application can cost you hundreds of dollars. That’s where working with a licensed broker makes a genuine difference. If your income swings, read what happens to your health insurance if self-employment income drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a one-person business get group health insurance in Florida?
Usually not. Small group plans generally require at least one W-2 employee who isn’t the owner or the owner’s spouse. Solo self-employed people typically buy individual ACA coverage instead, on or off the marketplace, and can deduct the premiums as self-employed health insurance. A broker can confirm whether any group option applies to you.
What income do I report as a solo self-employed person on healthcare.gov?
Report your projected net self-employment income for the year — revenue minus business expenses — plus any other household income. That estimate determines your premium tax credit. For 2027, credits are generally available between 100% and 400% FPL, so update your estimate if your income changes during the year.
Can I get health insurance outside of Open Enrollment if I’m self-employed?
Only with a qualifying life event, such as losing employer coverage, moving, marriage, or having a baby, which opens a Special Enrollment Period of usually 60 days. Becoming self-employed by itself isn’t a qualifying event, but losing your job-based plan when you leave is.
Whether you’re just going out on your own or already running your business, I’ll compare every available plan in your county at no cost to you. I’m Michael McAllister, owner of Choice Health Insurance Brokers in DeLand, FL — a licensed broker appointed with 200 carriers (NPN 18229135). My help costs you nothing; I’m paid by the carriers. Call or text me at 321-230-9536 or visit choice.healthcare for a free quote and a plan comparison built around your situation.