You can get health insurance without an employer through a Marketplace plan, Medicaid, a parent's or spouse's plan, COBRA, or a private plan. For most people, a Marketplace plan is the place to start, because a tax credit can lower the premium when income stays under 400% of the poverty line. Then the right choice depends on your income, age and timing.
- For 2027 coverage, Marketplace tax credits stop above 400% of the poverty line, which is $63,840 for one person.
- Open Enrollment on HealthCare.gov runs Nov 1 to Jan 15, and you must enroll by Dec 15 for a Jan 1 start.
- Losing job-based coverage gives you 60 days to choose a Marketplace plan.
- You can usually stay on a parent's plan until 26, even if you're married or turned down a job offer of coverage.
- Medicaid accepts applications all year, and new work rules start for many adults by Jan 1, 2027.
Health insurance without an employer: every option
Maybe your job offers nothing, you work for yourself, or you retired early. Either way, you can buy your own health insurance, and plenty of people do. So here's the full menu before we dig into each one.
| Option | Who it fits | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace (ACA) plan | Most people, especially under 400% of the poverty line | Credit depends on your income estimate |
| Medicaid or CHIP | Lower incomes and children | Rules vary by state |
| Parent's plan | Young adults under 26 | Depends on the parent's plan |
| Spouse's job-based plan | Couples where one partner has benefits | Price it against a Marketplace plan |
| COBRA | People leaving a job that had a plan | You pay the full premium |
| Private plan off the Marketplace | Higher earners who want a certain network | No tax credit |
In short, no employer health insurance simply means you pick and pay for the plan yourself. If you work for yourself, start with our main guide for people who work for themselves.
Marketplace plans and tax credits
The Marketplace is where most people buy health insurance without an employer. Every plan there covers essential benefits like doctor visits, hospital care and prescriptions. Also, plans can't turn you down or charge more for a pre-existing condition.
Your tax credit depends on expected income for the year. For 2027 coverage, it stops above 400% of the poverty line. Meanwhile, starting with tax year 2026, there's no cap on paying back extra credit, so a careful estimate matters. Learn more about how premium tax credits are calculated.
What if your job offers a plan you can't afford?
Some jobs offer a plan, but it costs too much. For 2027, if the employee-only premium tops 10.22% of household income, the offer counts as unaffordable. In that case, you may qualify for a tax credit instead. Our guide to coverage when you work part-time hours explains this in detail.
Joining a parent's or spouse's plan
Family coverage is often the simplest route. However, it isn't always the lowest-cost one, so compare it with a Marketplace plan first.
- Works even if you're married or live on your own
- Works even if you're not a tax dependent
- Marketplace plans keep you through Dec 31 of the year you turn 26
- Employer often pays part of the premium
- Adding family can cost far more than self-only
- Usually opens a mid-year window after marriage
Turning 26 soon? Losing a parent's plan opens a Special Enrollment Period, so you can move to your own plan without a gap.
A licensed Vivna agent can compare a Marketplace plan, a family plan and COBRA side by side, at no cost to you.
Medicaid and CHIP
If your income is low, Medicaid may be the most affordable health insurance without an employer, since it can cost little or nothing. In states that expanded Medicaid, adults with income under 138% of the poverty line may qualify. Plus, you can apply any time of year.
Starting by January 1, 2027, many adults in the expansion group must meet new work rules. Most can do that with 80 hours a month of work, school or community service. On the other hand, states like Florida and Texas haven't expanded Medicaid, so many adults there buy a Marketplace plan instead.
Children often qualify for CHIP even when parents earn too much for Medicaid. For family options, read our guide to covering your children on any budget.
COBRA after a job ends
If you just left a job that had a plan, COBRA lets you keep it. It applies to private employers with 20 or more employees. After a job loss, coverage usually lasts up to 18 months.
The catch is cost. Because your employer no longer pays its share, you pay the full premium yourself. As a result, COBRA can cost more than other health insurance without an employer. Also, you have 60 days to elect COBRA, and Marketplace coverage is often cheaper with a credit.
Before you decide, compare both in our guide to choosing between COBRA and a new plan. And if you're only between jobs for a while, read about bridging a gap between two jobs.
Short-term, catastrophic and supplemental plans
A few other plans can fit special cases. For example, catastrophic plans have low premiums and very high deductibles, and they're open to younger adults and some people with a hardship exemption. In approved states, short-term plans can bridge a brief gap.
Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant. They can exclude pre-existing conditions, and they don't qualify for premium tax credits. Read the exclusions before you buy.
Where they're sold, you can compare short-term plans in approved states. Meanwhile, accident and hospital cash plans can sit on top of any major medical plan. That matters when you have no paid sick days.
When you can buy health insurance without an employer
Timing matters as much as the plan. For instance, outside Open Enrollment, you need a qualifying life event to buy a Marketplace plan. So use these steps to stay on track.
- Mark Open Enrollment
On HealthCare.gov, it runs Nov 1 to Jan 15. Enroll by Dec 15 for coverage that starts Jan 1.
- Watch for life events
Losing coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby can open a 60-day window.
- Apply for Medicaid anytime
If your income drops, you don't have to wait for a deadline.
- Report changes quickly
Then update your income as soon as it changes, so your credit stays accurate.
For dates and a checklist, see our Open Enrollment dates and checklist.
How to choose health insurance without an employer
Start with your situation, not the price tag. Then compare total yearly cost, which means the premium after credits plus what you'd likely spend on care.
Start with a Marketplace plan and check your credit.
Price your parent's plan first.
Compare COBRA with a Marketplace plan before day 60.
Read our guide to early retirement coverage.
Early retirees have their own planning steps, which we cover in coverage for retiring before Medicare. Then, when you're ready, compare ACA and private plans for your ZIP code.
Before you call, write down your expected income for next year, your doctors and your prescriptions. With those three lists, we can check your credit, confirm your doctors are in network and narrow 50+ carriers to a short list. Also, tell us if anyone in your home has a job offer of coverage.
No job plan doesn't mean no help paying for coverage.What our licensed agents tell callers first
Ready to talk it through? Call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6031.
Coverage without a job-based plan: FAQs
How do I get health insurance if my job doesn't offer it?
Most people buy a Marketplace plan during Open Enrollment, which runs Nov 1 to Jan 15 on HealthCare.gov. If your income is under 400% of the poverty line, a tax credit can lower the premium. Also check Medicaid if your income is low, and a parent's plan if you're under 26. A licensed agent can compare all of these at once.
Is no employer health insurance more expensive?
Not always. Without an employer, you pay the whole premium, but a tax credit can cover a large share if you qualify. In fact, some people pay less for a Marketplace plan than they would for a job plan with family coverage. So compare total yearly cost, including the deductible, before you decide.
Can I buy coverage without a job-based plan in the middle of the year?
Only with a qualifying life event, such as losing coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby. Those events usually give you 60 days to enroll. However, Medicaid and CHIP accept applications any time. Otherwise, you wait for Open Enrollment each fall.
What is the cheapest way to buy your own health insurance?
It depends on your income. If you qualify for a subsidy, some bronze plans can cost $0 a month, though they come with high deductibles. If your income is low, Medicaid may cost little or nothing. Above the 400% line, a bronze plan with an HSA is often the lowest-cost choice for healthy people.
Can I get a tax break when I buy my own coverage?
Often, yes. If you're self-employed with a net profit, you can usually deduct your premiums. Also, a bronze plan from an Exchange now counts as HSA-eligible, so you can save pre-tax money for care. For the details, read our plans and tax tips for freelancers.
Vivna's licensed agents compare plans from 50+ carriers. Call Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov: Special Enrollment Period
- IRS: Revenue Procedure 2026-26 (2027 applicable percentages)
- HealthCare.gov: Federal poverty level (FPL)
- U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA FAQs for workers
- HealthCare.gov: Coverage for young adults under 26
- CMS: Medicaid community engagement requirement overview
Vivna Insurance is a licensed, independent health insurance agency (NPN 19168641). We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. Plan availability, networks and benefits vary by state and change over time. Short-term plans are available only in approved states and are not ACA-compliant coverage.
Related guides
Find Local Health Insurance Help
Plans, prices and help programs change by state and even by county. These local guides show what is available near you.
More local help: the Florida health insurance guide, plus guides for Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and every state we serve.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 888-730-6031 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, for free help from a licensed agent.
