Health insurance for people who work with their hands
Self-employed electricians, plumbers, roofers, carpenters, and HVAC techs buy their own coverage, and the work raises questions most plan brochures skip. The first one is what happens if you get hurt on the job. Sam Clayland goes through those questions with you on a free 25-minute call, from your truck if that is where you are.
What makes your situation different
Ask what happens with an injury on the job
Workers' compensation rules differ by state, so find out whether yours covers you as an owner. Then ask whether the health plan pays for work-related injuries. Get that answer in writing and read that section of the plan documents. Do not assume.
Your first hire changes your options
HealthCare.gov treats you as self-employed only if your business has no employees. If you have even one employee other than yourself, a spouse, family member, or owner, you may be able to use the SHOP Marketplace to offer coverage to yourself and your crew.
A slow winter still counts as income planning
If your work is seasonal, a strong summer can make the year look better or worse than it feels. Marketplace savings use your estimated net income for the whole year, after expenses, so a rough estimate from your books beats a guess from memory.
Sam to confirm: this page matches how you work with these clients, and add a real example
What Sam will ask
- Do you work alone, or do you have a crew?
- Do you carry workers' compensation on yourself?
- How much of your income comes in one season?
- Any old injuries or ongoing treatment a plan might ask about?
Handy, but not required
- A rough net income figure from your books
- Your workers' compensation situation
- Any prescriptions or ongoing care
Common questions
Does health insurance cover an injury at work if I am self-employed?
It depends on the plan and your workers' compensation situation. Get the answer in writing before you enroll.
I have one helper. Am I still self-employed for health insurance?
HealthCare.gov says that 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. Sam can walk through which route suits you.
Not you? Other kinds of work:
1099 contractors · restaurant owners and staff · real estate professionals · small business owners