Self-Employed

If you are self-employed with no employees, you now have several options for insurance coverage. In 2014, those options will expand under the Affordable Care Act. Learn more about these choices here. 

• What health insurance options are available to me?
• Can I get tax credits to help pay for health insurance?

What health insurance options are available to me?

• If your state allows self-employed people to buy small employer health insurance, then you have similar options as small employers. Find out if you qualify by visiting your State Department of Insurance. Or find additional consumer assistance in your state.
• If your state doesn’t allow self-employed people to buy small employer health insurance, then you have the same options as someone buying an individual health insurance plan.  Learn more about your full range of public and private health coverage choices in the insurance and coverage finder. You can also find more information about a variety of health insurance alternatives in the Insurance Choices section.
• If you’re self-employed and have bought health insurance, the cost of the health insurance may be deductible from your federal taxes. Learn more about the self-employed health insurance deduction.

Can I get tax credits to help pay for health insurance?

Starting in 2014, to help the middle class, tax credits will become available for health insurance purchased through an Affordable Insurance Exchange. This will be available to those:

• With income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line and
• Who are not eligible for other affordable coverage.

In 2010, 400% of the poverty line equaled about $43,000 for an individual or $88,000 for a family of four.