Self-employed individuals need an alternative to employer-sponsored health insurance. We reviewed availability, reputation, and more to find the best options.
Kate Dore, a Candidate for CFP Certification, is an expert on debt, credit scores, banking products, mortgages, investing, income taxes, life and health insurance, estate planning, and student loans. Kate's work has appeared in outlets like Business Insider, Financial Planning magazine, MagnifyMoney, Credit Karma, and Simple Money magazine. She received her Certificate in Financial Planning from Belmont University.
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While many people get health insurance through their employer, if you’re among the millions of self-employed Americans it can be difficult to find quality, affordable health insurance. You can sign up for a new health insurance plan during the open enrollment period, which starts on Nov. 1 and usually runs to Jan. 1 or Jan. 15, depending on your state. You also can enroll if you have a qualifying life event like getting married, having a baby, or losing your previous health insurance coverage.
The best health insurance plans for self-employed workers are affordable and offer decent coverage, with low premiums and deductibles and a wide provider network. You also should look for a health insurance company with a good reputation and a simple claims process.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is an a-sociation of 34 independent Blue Cross Blue Shield companies across the United States. Since 1929, the a-sociation has established a strong reputation, and most of its companies have high AM Best ratings, earning BCBS our top spot. The companies have scored 2.5 to 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 from the National Committee for Quality A-surance (NCQA). Blue Cross Blue Shield companies also earned high rankings in many regions in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study.