Health insurance that doesn't waste your time.
I'm a Tampa health insurance broker and licensed agent — the straight-talk specialist for the self-employed, 1099, and families. Private under-65 coverage, free to you (the carriers pay me, not you), and honest advice that puts you first.
For folks like you — 1099 contractors, freelancers, realtors, salon & shop owners, small-business owners, early retirees, and families between plans.
Most brokers work for the insurance company. I work for you.
independent means I'm on your side of the table, not theirs.If you buy your own coverage, you're my person.
1099 contractorsFreelancersGig workersRealtorsSalon & shop ownersMechanicsConsultantsSmall-business ownersEarly retireesFamilies who lost COBRAAnyone priced out
Honestly? I work best with people who want a real advisor for the long haul — someone to call when life changes — not a one-time transaction. If that sounds like you, let's talk.
don't see your title? if you buy your own coverage instead of getting it through a job, you qualify.Point at your situation.
I'll take it from there.
Coverage that works the way you do.
True PPO flexibility
Keep your own doctors. Skip the referrals. Many private plans run broad, nationwide networks.
Enroll any time
No waiting for open season. Private under-65 plans can often be applied for year-round.
Tax-smart if you're self-employed
Your premiums may be deductible. I'll flag what to ask about.
not tax advice — just a nudge.
An advisor for the long haul
No call-center roulette, no quote-and-vanish. One licensed person who picks up the phone for years — when life changes and your coverage needs to keep up. A relationship, not a transaction.
Three steps. Zero runaround.
You talk to one licensed health insurance agent — start to finish. No phone tree, no rotating cast.
Tell me your situation
A quick call or the form. I learn what you need covered, your budget, and the doctors you want to keep.
I compare the field
As an independent broker, I line up plans from multiple carriers and translate the fine print into plain English.
Get covered — keep my number
I handle enrollment, then stick around. When life changes, you've got someone who picks up.
Health Insurance Plan Types, Explained
Four main plan types, four different trade-offs. Here's the plain-English breakdown — no jargon, no sales pitch.
| PPO | HMO | EPO | POS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best known for | Maximum flexibility | Lowest cost | Middle ground | Hybrid flexibility |
| Primary care doctor required? | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Referrals to see specialists? | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Out-of-network coverage? | Yes | No (emergencies only) | No (emergencies only) | Some |
| Network size | Broad / nationwide | Narrow, local | Moderate | Moderate |
| Typical premium | Higher | Lower | Lower-to-mid | Mid |
| Good fit if you… | Want freedom to choose any doctor, travel, or skip referrals | Want the lowest premium and don't mind a set network | Want lower cost but no referral hassle | Want some flexibility with coordinated care |
- Best known for
- Maximum flexibility
- Primary care doctor required?
- No
- Referrals to see specialists?
- No
- Out-of-network coverage?
- Yes
- Network size
- Broad / nationwide
- Typical premium
- Higher
- Good fit if you…
- Want freedom to choose any doctor, travel, or skip referrals
- Best known for
- Lowest cost
- Primary care doctor required?
- Yes
- Referrals to see specialists?
- Yes
- Out-of-network coverage?
- No (emergencies only)
- Network size
- Narrow, local
- Typical premium
- Lower
- Good fit if you…
- Want the lowest premium and don't mind a set network
- Best known for
- Middle ground
- Primary care doctor required?
- No
- Referrals to see specialists?
- No
- Out-of-network coverage?
- No (emergencies only)
- Network size
- Moderate
- Typical premium
- Lower-to-mid
- Good fit if you…
- Want lower cost but no referral hassle
- Best known for
- Hybrid flexibility
- Primary care doctor required?
- Yes
- Referrals to see specialists?
- Yes
- Out-of-network coverage?
- Some
- Network size
- Moderate
- Typical premium
- Mid
- Good fit if you…
- Want some flexibility with coordinated care
Which is right for you?
Most self-employed people and families who want freedom of choice — keep your own doctors, see specialists without a referral, coverage that travels — lean toward PPO-style plans. If the lowest premium matters most and you're fine inside a set network, an HMO can make sense. Honest answer: it depends on your situation — which is exactly the conversation I have before you commit to anything.
See which plan fits you →Read the full guide: private coverage vs. the ACA marketplace →
Ryan Michalek · NPN 21043091
You get me. Not a call center.
"I started this because I watched too many good people get stuck with coverage that didn't fit — or pay double for it."
I didn't come up in insurance boardrooms. I came up bagging groceries and working the kind of jobs where nobody hands you a benefits packet — which is exactly the spot most of my clients are in now. I got licensed in 2024, moved from Chicago to Tampa Bay, and built this practice one honest conversation at a time. Today that's hundreds of clients across 31 states.
Here's the deal: I'm independent, so I'm not pushing one company's product. I compare your real options, give it to you straight, and still pick up the phone long after you've enrolled — year-round, not just at enrollment. There's never a fee to work with me: the carriers pay me, not you.
The why is simple. Self-employed people, families buying their own coverage, folks caught between jobs — they deserve an advocate who actually answers when they call. That's the whole business, and it's why my clients keep sending me their friends.
— Ryan Michalek
In their words
“He's professional and always answers my calls/texts within minutes. It's refreshing to talk with someone who genuinely cares!”
— Christina
“He … didn't try to upsell me or push a plan I didn't need. He was honest, knowledgeable and truly had my best interest in mind.”
— Allie N.
“From the moment I connected with him, I could tell he genuinely cares about helping people. The process was smooth, professional, and stress-free.”
— Brooke
Real clients. Real reviews.
I'd rather earn it than buy it.Most of my clients come from other clients — refer a friend →
Licensed & Verified
Licensed health & life insurance agent in 31 states — and you can confirm it yourself in seconds.
NABIP — the leading national association for health-insurance professionals · Member #525458. Proud Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce member.
Independent insurance agent — not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Confirm licensure directly through the official resources above.
Licensed in 31 states.
As a Tampa health insurance broker, I'm based in Tampa Bay and licensed in 31 states — so I work with clients across much of the country. Pick your state, or ask about yours.
don't see your state? I'm licensed in 31 — tell me where you live →
Straight answers.
Can I get health insurance if I'm self-employed?
Absolutely — it's my specialty. Self-employed individuals, 1099 contractors, and freelancers buy their own coverage. I compare private under-65 plans and help you choose coverage that fits your needs and budget without paying for things you don't need.
My COBRA is ending. What are my options?
Losing COBRA is a qualifying life event, which means you don't have to wait for open enrollment. I move quickly to find a plan that bridges the gap so you're never uninsured. Reach out as soon as you know your coverage is ending.
How is this different from the ACA marketplace?
The public marketplace is one path, but not the only one. As an independent broker, I compare private options alongside what's available to you — and for many healthy individuals and families, private coverage offers more flexibility for less. I'll show you the trade-offs honestly so you can decide.
How do you get paid — does it cost me anything?
The carriers pay me, not you — so there's no fee to work with me. You get a licensed advisor who compares your options and handles enrollment at no extra cost.
Do you help small businesses cover their teams?
Yes. I work with small business owners on group and owner coverage options that give your team real benefits without enterprise-level cost or complexity.
Who is Michalek Health Solutions?
Michalek Health Solutions is my independent under-65 health insurance brokerage, based in Tampa, Florida — I'm Ryan Michalek (NPN 21043091), and you work directly with me. I help self-employed people, families, and small businesses across 31 states compare private coverage, and I stay in your corner after you enroll.
What states is Michalek Health Solutions licensed in?
Through Michalek Health Solutions, I'm licensed in 31 states — all under my NPN, 21043091. You can verify that anytime at NAIC State Based Systems (sbs.naic.org) or the Florida Department of Financial Services (licenseesearch.fldfs.com). Tell me your state and I'll confirm what's available.
Do you sell Medicare plans?
No — I focus specifically on private under-65 health insurance. If you're approaching 65 or looking for a Medicare plan, that's outside what I do, and I'll gladly point you toward someone who specializes in it.
Can I enroll outside Open Enrollment?
Often, yes. Many private under-65 plans can be applied for year-round, and a qualifying life event — like losing other coverage — can open a special enrollment window. Approval involves underwriting, so it isn't automatic, but I'll tell you honestly what you're likely to qualify for.
Do insurance brokers charge a fee?
No. Independent brokers like me are paid by the insurance carriers, so working with one costs you nothing extra — your premium is the same whether you enroll on your own or with guidance. What you get for free is someone who compares options across many carriers, helps with the paperwork and underwriting questions, and stays available year-round if something changes.
Broker vs. buying online — what's the difference?
Buying online means picking from one site's menu and being on your own afterward. A broker compares across many carriers at once, matches a plan to how you actually use care, flags the fine print, and is a real person to call when a bill confuses you or your situation changes. It costs the same either way — so the question is really whether you want a guide.
Do I have to be healthy to qualify for coverage?
Not necessarily. ACA marketplace plans are guaranteed-issue — they can't turn you down or charge more for a pre-existing condition. Private under-65 plans can offer more flexibility, but many involve underwriting, so your health history can affect approval and pricing. There's almost always a path either way; my job is to tell you honestly which door is realistic for you before you apply — not after.
Are you affiliated with the government Health Insurance Marketplace?
No. Michalek Health Solutions is an independent insurance brokerage, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency or the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. As an independent broker, I compare options across multiple carriers and help you enroll at no cost to you.
What happens when I book a call?
It's about 15 minutes, by phone or screen share — no pressure, no obligation. I ask about your situation, budget, and the doctors you want to keep, then compare real options across carriers and explain the trade-offs in plain English. If I'm not the right fit, I'll tell you. You walk away knowing your options, whether or not you enroll.
Let's see if we're
a fit.
One honest conversation — no pressure, no quote-blasting. I'll lay out your real options in plain English, and if I'm not the right advisor for you, I'll tell you.