Best Health Insurance Companies For Self-Employed

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Why We Chose It: United Healthcare is our top choice for best overall as their coverage spans all 50 states, and they offer a large array of policies to suit most people.

As one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies, United Healthcare was an obvious choice for our best network choice. The United Healthcare network includes more than 1.3 million doctors and 6,500 hospitals and other facilities across the country, so you shouldn’t have difficulty finding local health services.

United Healthcare offers products including individual health insurance, short-term health insurance, dental and vision plans, Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, and small-business health insurance.

With an A rating from AM Best, you won’t need to worry about their ability to pay any claims as they are financially stable. 

You can get a quote and buy a plan using the online portal or the ACA Marketplace. You’ll find five coverage levels, from basic through to platinum coverage. Prices were not listed on the company website. Rates are discounted if you add coverage for dental or vision care. 

Although United Healthcare’s policies cost more than some competitors, they offer benefits that you may feel justify the additional expense. These include the unique Sweat Equity physical fitness reimbursement program; you can receive up to $400 a year just for working out.

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Why We Chose It: Kaiser Permanente earned their place as best runner up choice because although they have excellent ratings, industry strength, unique provider network, and focus on preventative care, the plans are only valid in 8 states and the District of Columbia.

When you’re responsible for your own income, it’s particularly important to avoid additional healthcare expenses. Kaiser Permanente, our overall winner, provides excellent preventative care benefits to make sure you stay healthy. You’ll enjoy free preventive care, including routine physicals and mammograms with Kaiser plans. 

Non-profit Kaiser Permanente sells a range of health insurance policies suitable for self-employed individuals. Depending on your situation, you can choose from their Medigap, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans, or individual plans. They also offer dental and vision options.

Their affordable plans have different pricing tiers, plus the option to add a Health Savings Account, and you’re guaranteed top-notch health care in Kaiser facilities.

Kaiser Permanente is different from other traditional health insurance providers in that they are a managed care organization. They operate their network of 39 Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and 719 medical offices, and can entirely control care quality and pricing. 

For these reasons, Kaiser plans consistently rate high for customer satisfaction and affordability. Although Kaiser is not Better Business Bureau accredited, J.D. Power and Associates awards Kaiser top rankings for customer satisfaction.   

Using either the Marketplace or Kaiser’s online portal, you can quote and buy their bronze, silver, gold, and platinum policies. With the bronze and silver plans, there’s the option to add an HSA. You can then use these tax-free contributions to pay for qualified medical expenses like health care, vision, and dental care, or medications.

Their Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans don’t exclude pre-existing conditions or limit renewability. However, you won’t have coverage for services like elective procedures, chiropractic care, or custodial care, as these and some others qualify as exclusions.

In common will other ACA insurance plans, if you buy during open or special enrollment from day 1 through 15 of the month, you’ll be covered from the first day of the next month. If you buy after day 16, the cover starts on the first day of the month after the next, meaning a wait of around six weeks.

If you’re thinking of joining Kaiser, you’ll need to be a resident of California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, or the District of Columbia.

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Why We Chose It: Pivot took first place as our best short-term health insurance pick for self-employed as there’s the flexibility to build the ideal policy for you and opportunities to save money with their discount programs.

With almost immediate coverage, the ability to visit any convenient doctor, flexible policy lengths, plus low prices, Pivot is our preferred short-term health insurance choice if you’re self-employed.

Since 2018, Pivot has offered short-term insurance plans underwritten by the Companion Life Insurance Company who has an AM Best financial stability rating of A+ (Superior).  Other offerings include supplemental Insurance, pre-Medicare, Medicare supplement plans, limited Benefit insurance, dental, and vision policies.

Provided you live in Washington D.C. or one of the other 30 states that Pivot operates in, you can quote and purchase a policy online. The quote system allows you to select the features you want to include or exclude from their basic, core, quantum, or epic policies. Policies are renewable for up to 364 days. 

Depending on your options, premiums begin at $99. Your expenses are limited by maximum out-of-pocket costs between $3,000 and $10,000. Annual benefit limits are capped at a maximum of $1 million. You’ll also need to cover coinsurance of 20% or 30% when you receive care. 

Unlike the Marketplace Affordable Care Act policies, plans can exclude pre-existing conditions. Waiting times also differ from Marketplace: It's a five-day wait before health coverage kicks in and 30 days for cancer care.

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Why We Chose It: We chose Oscar as our best for families option because of dedicated child and family-friendly benefits, the cap on family deductibles, and tax-credit eligibility.

It can be tricky juggling family life, finances, and being your own boss. If you have a large family, finding affordable health insurance can be challenging. Our best for families option is Oscar, thanks to their pregnancy and child-related benefits, the cap on a family deductible, and the opportunity to use your tax credits. 

When you download the Oscar app, you can quote and purchase policies. The app also provides instant access to your health records, account statements, and telehealth. You can easily talk to a doctor, which is convenient if you have children, as there’s no need to leave the house. 

Oscar has a unique concierge service, which you access through the app. You’re paired with your own care team who will answer any questions and help you access the most affordable care options in your area. Oscar makes health insurance as simple as possible, which is great for those who don’t have employer support.

For a family of four, the lowest price bronze simple plans are around $1,200 monthly with a $7,300 deductible and $8,550 out-of-pocket maximum. Comprehensive gold plans are pricier at $1,700  with a $2,500 deductible and $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum. Bear in mind that the deductible is capped at twice the individual rate, no matter how many dependents you have. 

Oscar complies with the ACA, so they don’t exclude pre-existing conditions, but do exclude any cosmetic procedures, care outside the country, dental and vision care.

Oscar is particularly appealing to families thanks to their free, well-baby, and well-child exams. If you’re a family living in one of the 18 states Oscar covers, their policies are worth considering.