Who this page is for
Use this page if you live or work in Orlando, Winter Park, or Orange County and need a plan for yourself or your family because you are:
- Self-employed or a sole owner with no job-based plan
- 1099 contractor, freelancer, or gig worker
- Leaving a W-2 job but keeping some business income on the side
- A small business owner who is starting to hire (and asking about ICHRA or small-group plans)
Main guide: health insurance broker in Orlando. Yearly dates: Florida ACA Open Enrollment guide.
ACA Marketplace first (HealthCare.gov)
Florida does not have its own state health insurance exchange. For many self-employed people, the usual place to start is the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.
Working with Daniels Health Advisors does not replace HealthCare.gov when you must enroll there. We help you:
- Estimate your household size and income the way the Marketplace asks (including self-employment income)
- Compare the plans offered in your Orange County ZIP code
- Check doctors, hospitals, deductibles, and drug lists before you pick
- Avoid lookalike “Florida marketplace” sites that are not HealthCare.gov
Tax credits and cost-sharing reductions (APTC & CSR)
APTC can lower your monthly Marketplace price. It is based on your household size and income. The credit is estimated when you apply. Then it is settled on your federal tax return.
CSR can lower your deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket limit if you qualify. You usually must pick a Silver plan to get it.
- Whether you qualify, and how much you get, comes from your HealthCare.gov application—not from an agent.
- Self-employment income can go up and down. Report changes during the year on HealthCare.gov so your credit stays right.
More on yearly dates: ACA open enrollment Florida.
2027 Open Enrollment dates (Florida / HealthCare.gov)
| Milestone | Date | Why it matters for self-employed |
|---|---|---|
| Open Enrollment starts | November 1, 2026 | First day to enroll, renew, or change Marketplace plans for 2027 |
| Deadline for Jan 1 start | December 15, 2026 | Pick a plan by this date if you need coverage on January 1, 2027 |
| January 1 coverage begins | January 1, 2027 | If you picked a plan by Dec 15 (and paid your first premium when due) |
| Open Enrollment ends | January 15, 2027 | Last day to sign up or change plans for 2027 without a Special Enrollment Period |
| Later start date | February 1, 2027 | Usual start date if you pick a plan Dec 16, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 |
Source: HealthCare.gov, “Dates and deadlines” (checked October 2, 2026). Outside open enrollment, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period after certain life changes. You can apply for Medicaid or CHIP at any time.
When private / underwritten options may come up
First we learn about your household, doctors, budget, and whether you can get a Marketplace plan with a tax credit. Then we may talk about other individual plans that some insurance companies underwrite. We talk it through with you; it is not a sales pitch. Do you expect little or no tax credit, and need a PPO that works in more than one state? See our guide to self-employed nationwide PPO (and our Private PPO vs Marketplace comparison). We can share quotes, but underwriting may apply.
- Underwriting can mean health questions. It can also mean you are turned down, charged more, or have some care left out. Marketplace plans do not use these the same way.
- Networks, benefits, and consumer protections can be different from the benefits Marketplace plans must cover. Always read the plan documents.
- If a plan outside the Marketplace makes sense, we explain the tradeoffs and let you decide.
- Some private plans ask health questions, and approval is not guaranteed. Some may not cover care for health problems you had before you enrolled.
Hiring? ICHRA and small-group paths
If you work alone with no employees, you usually stay on the individual Marketplace. Some people use one of the other individual plans above.
If you hire W-2 employees (or are building a small team), you may want to look at an ICHRA or a regular small-group plan. ICHRA stands for Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Those are reviewed separately, for the employer. They are not the same as shopping for yourself on HealthCare.gov.
If you have employees, see small-group health insurance & ICHRA in Orlando.
Self-employed checklist (Orlando / Orange County)
- Make sure you need a plan for yourself or your family (not Medicare, and not a plan from a job you have now). We help with Medicare too.
- Estimate your household income for the coverage year. Count your self-employment profit, not just what you take out of the business.
- List the Orlando-area doctors, hospitals, and medicines you want to keep.
- Make or sign in to your HealthCare.gov account before the busy season.
- Compare plans for your exact ZIP code. Plans in Orange County FL are different from other counties.
- If you need coverage to start January 1, pick a plan by December 15, 2026.
- Pay your first premium when the insurance company asks, so your coverage starts.
- If you hire (or plan to hire), ask if you should look at ICHRA or small-group plans on their own.
- Save your confirmations. Update HealthCare.gov if your income or household size changes during the year.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping HealthCare.gov because you think self-employed people “can’t get subsidies.”
- Missing Dec 15 when you need coverage to start January 1.
- Choosing by monthly price alone without checking Orange County doctors, hospitals, and drug lists.
- Assuming Florida has a state exchange—in Florida, Marketplace tax credits go through HealthCare.gov.
- Jumping to private, underwritten plans first without comparing Marketplace plans and your tax credit.
- Mixing up ICHRA or small-group plans (tools for employers) with shopping for yourself as a solo 1099 worker.
- Using unofficial lookalike websites—use HealthCare.gov, and check an agent's license (NPN).