ET Health AdvisorsClear guidance. Your call.
A guide for freelancers, contractors, and business owners

Health coverage when you’re self-employed

When you work for yourself, arranging health coverage can mean comparing options without an employer choosing a plan for you. A clear conversation starts with your household, your budget, and what you need coverage to do.

Written by Eli Thermilus, President of ET Health Advisors LLC and licensed health insurance agent.

Start with the details that shape your choices

Before comparing coverage, gather a few basics. You don’t need to send sensitive information through this website; keep these details for a conversation with a licensed agent or an official enrollment platform.

  • Your home ZIP code and the states where household members need coverage
  • Who needs coverage and each person’s age
  • When current coverage ends or when you want new coverage to begin
  • Doctors, facilities, and prescriptions you want to check
  • A monthly amount that feels manageable and how you think about costs when you receive care
  • Whether you want to explore Marketplace coverage, other available coverage, or both

Compare how coverage works, not just the monthly price

Two options can have different eligibility rules, provider networks, covered services, exclusions, and cost-sharing. Ask how each option handles the care you expect to use, what you could pay when you need care, and what is not covered.

Ask about health questions before you apply.Some coverage options may use health questions or medical underwriting, which can affect eligibility or the terms offered. Ask what applies to the specific option you’re discussing.

Questions worth asking

  • Is this comprehensive major medical insurance, or another type of coverage?
  • Are my doctors and prescriptions covered under the relevant network and benefit rules?
  • What exclusions, waiting periods, or benefit limits should I understand?
  • What is the most I could pay for covered care in a year, and what costs do not count toward that amount?
  • What would need to happen before coverage starts, and when would it end?
  • How are you compensated, and which options are you able to offer?

How I can help

I’ll ask about your situation, explain relevant choices in plain language, and point out important limits and tradeoffs. You can take time to decide whether you want to proceed. A conversation does not obligate you to enroll.

Available options depend on your state, household, eligibility, and the terms of each coverage option. I’ll confirm what I’m licensed and able to discuss for your situation.

Take the next step when you’re ready.

Online call requests are not open yet. You can read how I work and check back when the secure request process is available.

See my approach