If you are considering self-employment, but holding back because it would require you to purchase your own insurance, you may want to consider your options through the individual Health Insurance Marketplace®, or Healthcare.gov.

At Healthcare.gov, self-employed means you have a business that takes in income but doesn’t have any employees. So, you can enroll if you’re a freelancer, consultant, independent contractor, or other self-employed worker who does not have any employees.

The Open Enrollment Period for Marketplace plans takes place annually in the fall for the next calendar year. But even after open enrollment ends, coverage is available when you experience a Qualifying Life Event, and it may allow you to change or add to your existing coverage.

With a Qualifying Event, you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if you lost your employer-based insurance, you’ve retired, you’re newly self-employed, or you expect to leave your job in the next 60 days. The loss of your coverage counts as a Qualifying Event even if you have the option to continue your coverage with COBRA. In fact, a plan through the Marketplace can be a lot more affordable than COBRA continuation coverage.

Visit Healthcare.gov to find answers to your questions about health care when you’re self-employed:

• Learn about your options when you lose employer-based insurance
• Get help filling out an application when your income is hard to predict
• Find out if you qualify for low-cost insurance or free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid
• Preview 2022 plans and pricing based on your estimated income. You don’t need to log in or provide your name to check the plans out.

Plus, you’ll find answers to all of your questions about health care if you’re self-employed.

If your business has even one employee (other than yourself, a spouse, family member, or owner), you may be able to use the SHOP Marketplace for small businesses to offer coverage to yourself and your employees.

See if you qualify

There are other situations that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. To see if you qualify, and to find out if you can enroll in or change a plan for 2022, visit Healthcare.gov, then:

• Create an account or log into an existing account to apply and enroll.
• Preview plans and prices based on your income.

You may be asked to submit documents to confirm the loss of coverage.

We’re here for you. Deciding which plan is best for you can be a big decision. We’re here to help you navigate by clearly explaining the coverage in terms you can understand. View plans at BCBSKS.com/cares or call us at 866-679-7824.