If you're self-employed, a 1099 contractor, or running a small business, health insurance is one of the most confusing — and expensive — decisions you'll make. You've probably heard about "the marketplace," gotten sticker shock from ACA quotes, and wondered if there's another way. There usually is. But here's the honest part most agents skip: there's no single right answer, and the best plan depends entirely on you. Let's break down both paths so you can decide with your eyes open.
The ACA (Affordable Care Act) marketplace is the public exchange where you can buy government-regulated health plans. In some states that exchange is state-run — in Georgia, for example, it's Georgia Access. Its biggest strengths:
The trade-offs: outside of open enrollment (or a qualifying life event) you generally can't enroll, networks can be narrow, and — this is the big one for the self-employed — if you earn too much to qualify for a subsidy, the full-price premiums can be brutal.
Private health plans are sold through licensed brokers (like me) rather than the public exchange. For the right person, the advantages are real:
The honest trade-offs you deserve to know: private plans are not ACA marketplace plans, so they aren't subsidy-eligible. Many are also medically underwritten — meaning the insurer looks at your health history before deciding whether to accept you and what to charge — which is also why some plans may not cover pre-existing conditions the way an ACA plan does. They're built differently, on purpose — which is exactly why they fit some people beautifully and others not at all.
Private coverage tends to be a strong fit if you:
The ACA marketplace is usually the better path if you:
That second list matters. If the marketplace is genuinely the better deal for your situation, I'll tell you that — even though it isn't the product I place. That's the whole point of working with an independent broker who's straight with you: you get the right answer, not the convenient one.
Being turned down for a plan doesn't mean you're out of options — it usually means you ran into how these two types of coverage work. Some private coverage is medically underwritten, so the insurer can decline an application based on health history. ACA marketplace plans work the opposite way: they're guaranteed-issue, can't turn you down or charge more for pre-existing conditions, and ask no health questions at all. So if an underwritten plan said no, the marketplace route is still fully open to you. The two paths trade off differently on cost, networks, and flexibility — which is the whole point of comparing them honestly rather than treating one denial as the end of the road.
I compare your real options — private and otherwise — explain the trade-offs in plain English, and help you choose coverage that fits your life and budget. There's no fee to work with me, no pressure to enroll, and I'm still here long after you're covered.
New to plan types? See my PPO vs. HMO vs. EPO vs. POS comparison → for a plain-English breakdown of how coverage is actually structured.
Related guides: Short-term vs. ACA vs. private → · What private coverage costs → · ACA subsidies for the self-employed →
Still weighing the two? Michalek Health Solutions, an independent Tampa broker, can walk both paths with you before you decide.
No. Private under-65 plans are sold through licensed brokers and are not part of the government exchange. They aren't subsidy-eligible and are often medically underwritten, but they can be enrolled in year-round and frequently cost less for healthy individuals and families who don't qualify for ACA subsidies.
Usually, yes. Unlike the ACA marketplace, many private plans let you enroll any time of year, which makes them a common option for people who missed open enrollment, are losing COBRA, or are between jobs.
It depends on the plan and the underwriting. Some private plans are medically underwritten and may limit or exclude pre-existing conditions. If you have significant ongoing medical needs, an ACA marketplace plan may be the better fit — and I'll tell you honestly which path makes more sense for you.
No. There's no fee to work with me. I'm compensated by the carriers, not by you, so you get a licensed advisor who compares your options at no cost.
Then I'll say so. As an independent broker, my job is to help you find the right coverage — even when that's not the plan I place. Honest guidance is the whole business.
Yes. A denial usually means you applied for medically underwritten coverage, which can decline based on health history. ACA marketplace plans are guaranteed-issue — they can't turn you down or ask health questions — so that route stays open even if a private plan said no. It's worth comparing both paths before assuming a denial is final.
Coverage built for freelancers, contractors, and solo business owners.
Explore self-employed →COBRA ending, between jobs, or losing a plan? Move fast and avoid a gap.
See gap options →PPO vs. HMO vs. EPO vs. POS — a plain-English breakdown of how plans differ.
See the comparison →I'll compare your real options — private and the marketplace alike — and tell you which genuinely fits.