Yes. Self-employed people can use the ACA Marketplace exactly like any other individual — no LLC, business registration, or employees required — and in Florida you enroll at healthcare.gov. If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly premium.
Whether you’re a freelancer, independent contractor, sole proprietor, or small business owner, the Marketplace was essentially built with people like you in mind. Here’s how it works in Florida.
Self-Employed Counts as an Individual Under the ACA
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the ACA Marketplace is only for people who are unemployed or work part-time jobs without benefits. That’s simply not true. Under the Affordable Care Act, self-employed people are treated the same as any other individual applying for coverage — you’re not required to have an employer, and you’re not penalized for working for yourself.
You don’t need an LLC. You don’t need a registered business name. You don’t need employees. If you earn income from self-employment — even if it’s side income from a freelance gig alongside a day job — you qualify to shop for plans on the Marketplace just like anyone else.
Florida Uses Healthcare.gov — Not a State Exchange
It’s worth noting that Florida is a federally facilitated marketplace state. That means when you go to apply for coverage, you’ll do it through healthcare.gov, not a state-run website. Some states like California and New York operate their own exchanges, but here in Florida — whether you’re in Volusia County, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or anywhere else — healthcare.gov is where you shop, compare, and enroll.
This is actually straightforward once you know where to go. The federal site lets you compare plans side by side, see estimated premiums after subsidies, and check which doctors and hospitals are in-network before you commit to anything.
Income-Based Subsidies Can Make Coverage Very Affordable
Here’s where things get really interesting for self-employed people. The ACA offers premium tax credits — subsidies that lower your monthly premium — based on your household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For 2027 coverage, a single person earning between about $15,960 and $63,840 (100%–400% FPL) may qualify; the cutoff is $86,560 for a couple and $132,000 for a family of four. The enhanced subsidies that extended help above 400% FPL expired at the end of 2025, so earners above those amounts pay full price. See whether self-employed people qualify for subsidies for details.
Because self-employed income can fluctuate, the ACA was designed with some flexibility in mind. When you apply, you estimate your annual income for the year. If your actual income turns out higher or lower, you reconcile the difference when you file your taxes. This means you don’t have to wait until you know exactly what you’ll earn — you make your best estimate and adjust later if needed.
For many self-employed Floridians inside that income range, these subsidies bring monthly premiums down substantially, depending on income and the plan tier selected.
What Plans Are Available in Florida?
For 2027, Florida residents can access plans on healthcare.gov from major insurers including:
- Florida Blue — the state’s largest insurer with broad provider networks
- UnitedHealthcare — a national carrier with individual plans in many Florida counties
- Oscar Health — known for its tech-forward approach and straightforward plan designs
- Ambetter (Sunshine Health) — frequently offers some of the lowest-cost bronze and silver plans in the state
- AvMed, AmeriHealth Caritas, and 22 Health — available in select counties
Cigna and Molina are leaving Florida’s individual market for 2027. If you’re enrolled with either, healthcare.gov may auto-assign you a replacement plan — it’s better to actively choose your own during Open Enrollment, which runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 (enroll by December 15 for a January 1 start). Florida’s proposed 2027 rates are also up an average of 15.3%, so comparing plans matters more than ever.
Plans are organized into metal tiers — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — based on how costs are split between you and the insurer. Silver plans are often the sweet spot for self-employed people because they’re the only tier where cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) apply if your income qualifies, meaning your deductibles and out-of-pocket costs go down, not just your premium. CSRs apply between 100% and 250% FPL. Here’s how to choose between Bronze, Silver, and Gold when self-employed.
All ACA Plans Cover Essential Health Benefits
Every plan sold through healthcare.gov — regardless of insurer or metal tier — must cover the ten categories of essential health benefits:
- Preventive care and wellness visits
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health and substance use treatment
- Maternity and newborn care
- Pediatric services
- Laboratory tests
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services
- Outpatient (ambulatory) services
This standardization is one of the ACA’s most underappreciated features. When you’re comparing plans, you know that every option on the table covers the basics — the differences come down to premiums, deductibles, network size, and cost-sharing, not whether you’re actually covered for major medical events.
Pre-Existing Conditions Are Fully Covered
Before the ACA, being self-employed and having a pre-existing condition was a double problem — you had no employer coverage and the individual market could deny you or charge you dramatically more. That’s no longer the case. Every ACA Marketplace plan must accept you regardless of your health history, and they cannot charge you more because of a pre-existing condition. Whether you have diabetes, a history of cancer, or a chronic condition, you’re protected. More in pre-existing conditions in self-employed health plans.
Common Myths About Self-Employed ACA Enrollment
A few misconceptions come up again and again when working with self-employed clients in Florida. Let’s clear them up:
- “I need to have an LLC to apply.” — Not true. Sole proprietors and independent contractors apply as individuals.
- “I have to prove my business income upfront.” — You estimate your income. Proof comes later at tax time if there’s a discrepancy.
- “I have to have employees to get business health insurance.” — Through the Marketplace, you’re enrolling as an individual, not a small group. No employees required.
- “The subsidies don’t apply to me because I own a business.” — Business ownership has no bearing on subsidy eligibility. It’s based on household income, period.
How a Broker Can Help — at No Cost to You
Navigating plan options, understanding subsidy calculations, and picking the right metal tier for your situation can feel overwhelming — especially when your income varies month to month. That’s where working with a licensed health insurance broker makes a real difference. A broker can walk you through your options, help you estimate your subsidy, and make sure you’re enrolling in a plan that fits both your budget and your healthcare needs.
And here’s something many people don’t realize: using a broker costs you nothing. Brokers are paid by the insurance carriers, not by you. The premium you pay is exactly the same whether you enroll through a broker or on your own — but with a broker, you have someone in your corner who can answer questions, help with claims issues, and update your coverage when your situation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an LLC to buy health insurance on the marketplace?
No. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and freelancers apply as individuals at healthcare.gov. You don’t need an LLC, a registered business name, or employees. You simply estimate your household income for the year, including net self-employment income, and the system calculates any premium tax credit you qualify for.
When can self-employed people enroll in a marketplace plan for 2027?
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage beginning January 1. Outside Open Enrollment, you’ll need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, or marriage, to get a Special Enrollment Period.
What happens if I earn more than I estimated on my marketplace application?
You’ll reconcile the advance premium tax credit on Form 8962 when you file taxes, and you may have to repay some or all of it. If your income ends up above 400% FPL, you may owe back the full credit. Update your income estimate at healthcare.gov as soon as you know it has changed.
If you’re self-employed in Florida and have questions about marketplace coverage, I’ll walk you through your options and your subsidy — no obligation. 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.