Straight answers.

Fit First Health Insurance is a health insurance agency in Ocean City, Maryland, run by licensed agent Sam Clayland. It helps self-employed people, 1099 contractors, tradespeople, restaurant owners and staff, real estate professionals, and small business owners find coverage. "Fit first" means the plan has to fit your work, family, and budget before anything else.

No. Fit First started with a focus on healthy, active people, and Sam now works with people in many situations. Some plans ask health questions, and your health can affect what you qualify for and what it costs. Others, such as Marketplace plans, cannot turn you down for a health condition. Sam goes through which is which.

Self-employed people, 1099 contractors, skilled tradespeople, restaurant owners and employees, real estate professionals, small and medium business owners and their employees, and employees paying too much for coverage at work.

Nothing. There is no charge to talk with Sam, and you do not need to fill out a form first. Health insurance agents are generally paid by the insurance company when a plan is placed.

No. Marketplace plans follow ACA rules. Other plans Sam may discuss can sit outside the ACA, may ask health questions, and may decline or limit coverage for pre-existing conditions. You should know which kind you are looking at before you sign anything, and Sam will tell you.

A Marketplace plan may be the right fit, and Sam will say so when it is. If you would rather apply yourself, you can do that at HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace.

A Marketplace plan cannot. HealthCare.gov says no insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started. Plans outside the ACA rules can be different. The Maryland Insurance Administration warns that short-term plans may ask health questions and may deny or limit coverage based on the answers.

Because different plans suit different people. In Sam's words: "Not everyone is an orange. Some of us are bananas." Your occupation, family, and health all shape which plans are worth your time.

Nothing is required. If you have them handy, bring your current plan and premium, a rough figure for last year's income, and a list of your doctors and prescriptions.

A deductible is the amount you pay for covered care before the plan starts paying. If your deductible is $5,000, you are responsible for that portion of the bill first. Some plans pay certain benefits regardless of the deductible, and not all plans have one.

It depends on the plan. Marketplace plans must include prescription drugs as an essential health benefit. In Maryland, short-term plans are not required to cover outpatient prescriptions. Ask before you enroll, and bring your list.

It depends on the type of plan and what it includes, such as doctor visits, dental, and vision. On plans that ask health questions, your overall health is generally a major factor. Marketplace savings depend on your estimated income.

Sam's current site says you deal with a licensed insurance agent through a major insurance company, using secure software that follows HIPAA, the federal health privacy law. Share only what you are comfortable sharing on a first call.

You will have an insurance card with the plan's contact details, and you can always contact Sam's office for help. Marketplace plan changes usually wait for Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period.

Often, yes. The IRS allows a deduction for premiums for you, your spouse, and your dependents if you had a net profit from self-employment and were not eligible for a subsidized employer plan that month. A tax professional can confirm your situation.

For 2027 coverage, Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov and in Maryland. After that, a Marketplace plan generally requires a qualifying life event. Some plans outside the Marketplace accept applications year-round, with the trade-offs described in our guides.