One of the most common questions I hear from solo workers in the DeLand and Volusia County area is some version of this: “I’m self-employed — just me, no employees. Can I even get health insurance?” The answer is yes, and not just technically yes — you have access to every major coverage option available in Florida. 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 is actually one of the strongest ACA markets in the country, with over 4 million residents enrolled as of 2025. That means carriers like Florida Blue, Molina Healthcare, Oscar Health, Ambetter from Sunshine Health, and others compete aggressively for your business — especially in Central Florida counties like Volusia, Orange, and Seminole.
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 $15,650 to $62,600 for a single person in 2025), and enhanced subsidies under recent legislation have further expanded financial help for many Floridians. The subsidy calculator at healthcare.gov lets you run the numbers before you commit to anything.
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment Periods
The standard window to enroll in a marketplace plan runs from November 1 through January 15 each year, with coverage starting as early as 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.
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 is one of only ten states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. 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 limited income thresholds (around $281/month for a single parent household), pregnant women up to 196% FPL, and children under the Florida KidCare program up to 215% FPL. Seniors and people with disabilities have separate rules entirely.
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. Florida allows short-term plans of up to 364 days.
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.
At Choice Health Insurance Brokers, we work exclusively with individuals and families across the DeLand area and throughout Florida. We’ll compare every available plan in your county at no cost to you — brokers are paid by the insurance carriers, not by you. Whether you’re just going out on your own, already running your business, or trying to figure out what happens when your income fluctuates year to year, we’re here to help you find coverage that actually fits your life. Visit us at choice.healthcare or give us a call to get started.