Health insurance for freelancers and gig workers

Where freelancers get coverage

• Marketplace plan: HealthCare.gov says you're self-employed if your business takes in income and has no employees, and you can use the individual Marketplace. Every Marketplace plan covers the 10 essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions.
• A spouse's job plan: if it covers spouses and is considered affordable, you generally won't get Marketplace savings, even if you turn it down. Price both.
• Medicaid: in expansion states, adults below 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify. Apply any time.
• SHOP: if you hire employees, you may be able to use the SHOP Marketplace for small businesses.

For the general self-employed picture, see self-employed health insurance. This page covers what's different for gig and freelance work.

Estimating gig and freelance income

You apply with an estimate of net self-employment income for the year: HealthCare.gov says to include what you expect to make from your business after expenses, plus other household income. Savings are based on that year's estimate, not last year's.

1. Add up expected income from every platform and client, including 1099-K and 1099-NEC income.
2. Subtract the business expenses you'll deduct, such as mileage or equipment.
3. Add a spouse's income and any other household income.
4. Update your application when income shifts a lot. Advance credits are reconciled at tax time, and for tax years after 2025 the IRS says there's no cap on paying back excess credits.

For 2026 coverage, premium tax credits apply to household incomes from 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level ($15,650 to $62,600 for one person, using 2025 guidelines). HealthCare.gov publishes 2027 income levels on November 1, 2026.

HSAs and the premium deduction

Since January 1, 2026, the IRS says Bronze and Catastrophic plans available through the Marketplace are HSA-compatible, and IRS Notice 2026-5 says you don't have to buy them through the Marketplace. An HSA lets you set aside pre-tax money for medical costs. Other coverage can still affect whether you can contribute, so check with your plan administrator or a tax advisor. See HSA for self-employed.

If you had a net profit on Schedule C, you may be able to deduct premiums with Form 7206, but not for any month you were eligible for an employer-subsidized plan, including a spouse's. See the self-employed health insurance tax deduction and check with a tax advisor.

Plans to look at closely

Some plans marketed to freelancers aren't ACA coverage. Before you buy through an association, platform or ad, ask whether it's ACA-compliant major medical.

• Short-term plans can exclude pre-existing conditions and cap benefits.
• Fixed indemnity plans pay set amounts per day or service. CMS says they are not a substitute for comprehensive coverage.
• Health share plans are not insurance. See health share plans.

More in ACA-compliant health insurance.

Where Gabriel fits

Gabriel can quote Marketplace plans for your ZIP code and household, show the price after any tax credit, and open your own application with a licensed agent in most states. You choose the plan and finish the application.

Gabriel is a membership, not health insurance, and Gabriel is not an insurer. It does not replace a health plan's protection against large medical bills.