One of the most common things we hear from self-employed clients: “I’ve been putting this off because I didn’t know where to start.” Between income variability, subsidy calculations, and the general sense that it’s more complicated for freelancers and contractors, a lot of people just avoid it until something forces the issue.
We work with a lot of self-employed Kansans — 1099 workers, consultants, sole proprietors, freelancers — and the situation isn’t as complicated as it feels. The right coverage and the right strategy depends on your income, your family situation, and how your business is structured. We help you sort through it in plain language and find something that actually works.
Self-employed individuals have access to the same health insurance markets as everyone else, but the right strategy often looks different based on your income, business structure, and family situation. The primary options are:
Available to anyone, with potential premium tax credits based on income. Income variability as a self-employed person can make subsidy estimation tricky -- we help you navigate this.
Can offer more flexibility if your income is too high to qualify for subsidies.
Not insurance, but worth understanding as an alternative. We explain the difference and the risks.
If you have at least one employee, you may qualify for a small group plan, which can offer different benefit structures.
One tax advantage unique to self-employed individuals: you can typically deduct 100% of health insurance premiums paid for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents from your gross income, regardless of whether you itemize. This deduction can significantly reduce the real cost of your coverage. We factor this in when helping you evaluate total cost of ownership for different plan options. (Consult your tax professional for specifics, we are health insurance brokers, not CPAs.)
Income variability is one of the real challenges for self-employed people on an ACA plan. Your subsidy is based on what you project your income will be. If the actual number comes in higher, you may owe back part of your credit at tax time. If it comes in lower, you may get more. We help you think through income scenarios, understand the risk on both sides, and decide how conservative to be with your estimate. It’s a conversation worth having before you enroll, not after.
Consultation for self-employed Kansans, in person or virtually.
Schedule a ConsultationOr call: (316) 282-3440