Freelancing has many perks, including the ability to build your own schedule and choose your own clients. But while you would normally get your health insurance through an employer, as a freelancer, you’ll have to get your health insurance elsewhere. There are several ways to get health insurance for freelancers so you can still get the coverage you need.
You can get health insurance for freelancers through several routes.
If you’re under age 26 and your parents buy insurance through an employer, they can add you onto their policy. Additionally, if you’re married and your spouse has employer-sponsored health insurance, you can be added to their plan. You may even be able to add onto a partner’s insurance if you’re not married.
You can shop for health insurance for yourself and your family members through the Health Insurance Marketplace, which was created by the Affordable Care Act. You’ll need to shop during the open enrollment period, which can vary depending on your state. Or, if you had a qualifying life event, like job loss, which affected your insurance, you may be able to enroll in health insurance within 60 days of the event.
If you’ve left a job to freelance, you can keep your employer’s health insurance through COBRA for 18 or 36 months. Your plan cost will increase, since you’ll be paying the full price of the plan and a 2% administrative fee.
If you’re not yet earning a profit through your business, you might qualify for health insurance through Medicaid. You’ll need to review your state’s requirements for your income, age, and household size.
You can also shop around and compare policies using a platform like ConsumerCoverage. ConsumerCoverage makes it easy to see the plans that you’re eligible for, so you can compare factors like premium cost, coverage limits, and deductibles.
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No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.
No Signup required
Freelancing can be unpredictable and unstable, but health insurance can give you reliable protection in case you need health care. If you need health insurance as a freelancer, you can get free health insurance quotes online today. Then, decide what type of coverage you need, compare the quotes, and find the best option for your care needs and your budget.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
