Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
- Medical
- Dental
- Other Supplemental
-
(Cancer Treatment, Hospital Indemnity, and more)
Plans through your employer
- Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.
- Explore coverage through work
Learn
- How to Buy Health Insurance
- Types of Dental Insurance
- Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
- See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
- Shop for Medicare plans
Shop for Plans
Shop for Plans
Health Insurance for the Self-Employed
Find the right health insurance plan for your needs as a self-employed individual.
Whether you own a business, work freelance jobs, or are an independent contractor, being self-employed can be time-consuming and complex. You want a health plan that offers quality coverage and a good value.
Wondering where to start when it comes to buying health insurance? Let's look at the basics of a health insurance plan and how to select the best plan for self-employed individuals.
Do I need health insurance as a self-employed individual?
No matter if you work full-time for an employer or own a business, all adults benefit from comprehensive health insurance. Paying out of pocket for health services (such as regular screenings, sick visits, procedures, or hospital stays) can get extremely expensive.
By purchasing a health plan, you can get peace of mind that should you need health care services, you won’t have to pay for everything yourself. This can lead to better overall health outcomes as well.
What should I look for in a health insurance plan?
- Options: You want a choice of plans at prices that work for you.
- Quality care: You need access to personalized treatment from providers and hospitals, no matter where you live.
- Affordable care: You'll want a range of in-network providers and hospitals to choose from, so you can take advantage of lower health care costs.
- Annual check-ups and preventive care at no additional cost1: Preventive care, such as your annual health exam and screenings, helps you stay healthy. Certain eligible preventive services may covered under your plan benefits.
- Easy-to-use tools: Online tools can help you pick plans, find doctors, and provide cost transparency.
- 24/7 support: You need to be able to access claim and health care experts who can answer your questions when you have them.
How much does health insurance for self-employed people cost?
The cost of your health plan will depend on a few things:
- Number of people being covered (self vs. spouse and/or dependents)
- Your age
- Your health status
- Your location
- Your monthly premium
- Copays, deductibles, or coinsurance
How can I find affordable health insurance?
Because you're in business for yourself, your health care costs make a difference to your bottom line. The right insurance plan can help you save money on out-of-pocket costs.
When you visit in-network providers, you get access to the lower rates that they've negotiated with your plan. When you see an out-of-network provider, your costs are typically higher. That's why it's important to choose a plan with in-network health care providers and hospitals in your area.
Where can I buy a self-employed health insurance plan?
There are a few ways to purchase a health plan as a self-employed individual.
Health Insurance Plan Through Your Spouse
If you are married, you may have the option to join your spouse’s health insurance plan through their employer. The cost of being added to your spouse’s plan will vary.
Health Insurance Plans Through the Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace is an easy way to compare plans, and you may qualify for financial help from the government (also known as a subsidy).
Plans offered on the Marketplace cover the main essential health services and benefits:
- Preventive health check-ups, screenings, and immunizations
- Emergency services
- Ambulatory services
- Hospital stays (both inpatient and outpatient)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
Health plans on the Marketplace also may include dental and vision coverage as well as programs for chronic pain, diabetes, and weight management.
A handful of states run their own health insurance exchanges (as opposed to the federal marketplace, or HealthCare.gov):
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Health Insurance Plans Through an Insurance Company
You can purchase your own individual and family health plan through a private health insurance company, like Cigna HealthcareSM*.
You will need to enroll in your plan during open enrollment or special enrollment period. Before deciding on a plan, be sure to thoroughly read all plan documentation to be sure you get the level of coverage your child needs.
Health Insurance Plans Through Medicaid
You may be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid programs offered in your state. Your eligibility will depend on factors such as your income, number of people in your household.
How can I save time when it comes to my health insurance plan?
Time is precious when you're self-employed. It helps to choose a plan with a customized, easy-to-use online website and mobile app2 (like myCigna® from Cigna Healthcare), so you can manage your health whenever, wherever you are. Get information, find in-network providers, pay your health insurance premiums, view your claims, and access digital ID cards.
And when you have a health issue on your mind, you want answers. It helps to have a health information line to call. Talk to a health care professional 24/7/365 to get information and answers to your health-related questions.
How can Cigna Healthcare help with my health insurance plan?
Cigna Healthcare health plans make sense for self-employed people like you. We can help you choose a health insurance plan that's right for your needs and your budget. Find out about the plans and policies Cigna Healthcare offers:
Tags
* Offered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company or its affiliates
In Utah, plans are offered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
View Cigna Healthcare Company Names
1 Plans may vary. Includes eligible in-network preventive care services. Some preventive care services may not be covered, including most immunizations for travel. Reference plan documents for a list of covered and non-covered preventive care services.
2 App/online store terms and mobile phone carrier/data charges apply.
Product availability may vary by location and plan type and is subject to change. All health insurance policies and health benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For costs and details of coverage, review your plan documents or contact a Cigna Healthcare representative.
LUMP SUM CANCER, LUMP SUM HEART ATTACK AND STROKE, AND ACCIDENT TREATMENT POLICIES PAY LIMITED BENEFITS ONLY. THEY ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND DO NOT COVER ALL MEDICAL EXPENSES. THIS COVERAGE DOES NOT SATISFY THE “MINIMIUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE” OR INDIVIDUAL MANDATE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA). THIS COVERAGE IS NOT MEDICAID OR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE.
Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna GroupSM, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. In Utah, all products and services are provided by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT). Policy forms: OK – HP-APP-1 et al., OR – HP-POL38 02-13, TN – HP-POL43/HC-CER1V1 et al. (CHLIC); GSA-COVER, et al. (CHC-TN).
This page is not intended for use in AZ.
I want to...
Audiences
Manage Your Account
Cigna Healthcare Information
The Cigna Group Information
Disclaimer
Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT). The Cigna Healthcare name, logo, and other Cigna Healthcare marks are owned by The Cigna Group Intellectual Property, Inc.
All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna Healthcare sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.
La aseguradora publica el formulario traducido para fines informativos y la versión en inglés prevalece para fines de solicitud e interpretación.
The insurer is issuing the translated form on an informational basis and the English version is controlling for the purposes of application and interpretation.