Is Individual Health Insurance Right for Me?
Health insurance you buy on your own — not through an employer or association — is called individual coverage. It could be right for you if you are:
Learn more about when you can buy an individual plan.
If you don't have a plan through an employer, individual coverage is not only right, it's required for almost everyone by the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. You might have to pay a penalty if you go without coverage.
Think you can't afford health insurance on your own? When you're shopping for health plans, you'll be able to see if you qualify for lower costs. Many people do.
Depending on your income and age, you may also be eligible for:
If the coverage your employer offers doesn't meet certain federal guidelines, you may be eligible to purchase individual insurance instead.
Your employer's required to let you know whether your health plan meets these guidelines. If it doesn't, you can see if buying your own insurance is cheaper.
Individual coverage isn't just for individuals. You can get a plan that covers you and your family and helps you find affordable health care. We have medical plans and dental plans, some with vision for adults, as well as vision insurance for every budget.
Ready to sign up for one of our individual and family plans? Applying online is usually the best way to sign up.
Open enrollment for 2024 closed on Jan. 16. If you still need coverage for 2024, you can see if you're eligible for special enrollment. If you'd like to lower your costs, you can also see if you're eligible for a health insurance subsidy.
If you qualify for special enrollment and are applying for a plan without using a subsidy, sometimes known as an off-marketplace plan, you also have the option to print the application, fill it out and mail it in.
It's likely you're eligible for Medicare. That's another kind of individual health insurance. Unlike health plans you have when you're under age 65, Medicare plans only cover one person.
You can learn more about signing up for Medicare and shop for health plans on our Medicare site.
If you don't have a plan through an employer, individual coverage is not only right, it's required for almost everyone by the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. You might have to pay a penalty if you go without coverage.
Think you can't afford health insurance on your own? When you're shopping for health plans, you'll be able to see if you qualify for lower costs. Many people do.
Depending on your income and age, you may also be eligible for:
If the coverage your employer offers doesn't meet certain federal guidelines, you may be eligible to purchase individual insurance instead.
Your employer's required to let you know whether your health plan meets these guidelines. If it doesn't, you can see if buying your own insurance is cheaper.
Individual coverage isn't just for individuals. You can get a plan that covers you and your family and helps you find affordable health care. We have medical plans and dental plans, some with vision for adults, as well as vision insurance for every budget.
Ready to sign up for one of our individual and family plans? Applying online is usually the best way to sign up.
Open enrollment for 2024 closed on Jan. 16. If you still need coverage for 2024, you can see if you're eligible for special enrollment. If you'd like to lower your costs, you can also see if you're eligible for a health insurance subsidy.
If you qualify for special enrollment and are applying for a plan without using a subsidy, sometimes known as an off-marketplace plan, you also have the option to print the application, fill it out and mail it in.
It's likely you're eligible for Medicare. That's another kind of individual health insurance. Unlike health plans you have when you're under age 65, Medicare plans only cover one person.
You can learn more about signing up for Medicare and shop for health plans on our Medicare site.