Health insurance, in plain English
The Chasin Coverage Blog
Plain-English answers about health insurance for self-employed people, families and small businesses, from licensed agent Chase Tabor.
Marketplace Premiums Are Up About 13% for 2027: What to Check Before You RenewIf you buy your own health coverage, don't let last year's plan roll forward without a fresh look. Open Enrollment is already open, and KFF reports...Read the article →Term vs Whole Life Insurance: How to Choose When You're Self-EmployedFor most self-employed people, the choice comes down to how long you need the coverage. Term life covers you for a set number of years and pays your...Read the article →How a Health Savings Account Works When You're Self-EmployedA health savings account, or HSA, is a savings account for medical costs that you can open on your own when you work for yourself, as long as you're...Read the article →Is There Still a Penalty for Not Having Health Insurance? What Self-Employed Texans Should KnowNo, not at the federal level. HealthCare.gov says plainly that "the fee for not having health insurance no longer applies," so you no longer pay a...Read the article →You Can Preview 2027 Marketplace Plans Right Now, Before Open Enrollment Opens November 1You don't have to wait until Sunday to see what's coming. HealthCare.gov already lets you preview Marketplace health plans and estimated prices for...Read the article →Deductible vs Out-of-Pocket Maximum: What Each One Means When You Buy Your Own CoverageYour deductible is what you pay for covered care before your plan starts sharing the cost. Your out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'll pay for...Read the article →Senators Question Insurers About 760,000 Marketplace Cancellations: How to Check Your Own CoverageIf you buy your own health insurance through HealthCare.gov, take five minutes this week to log in and confirm your plan is still active. Then open...Read the article →Vision Insurance When You're Self-Employed: What Marketplace Plans Cover and What They Don'tIf you work for yourself, your kids' vision care is already part of every Marketplace health plan, but your own may not be. HealthCare.gov says all...Read the article →Dental Insurance When You're Self-Employed: How It Works With Marketplace Health PlansIf you work for yourself, you can get dental coverage two ways in the Marketplace: pick a health plan that already includes dental, or add a separate...Read the article →Life Insurance Is Showing Up in Your Banking App: What to Check Before You Tap BuyBuying term life insurance from an app can be a perfectly good way to get covered, as long as you pick the right amount and the right length of term...Read the article →HMO vs PPO: The Difference in Plain Words for Self-Employed People and FamiliesThe biggest difference between an HMO and a PPO is how much freedom you have to see doctors outside the plan's network. HealthCare.gov explains that an...Read the article →Your 2027 Marketplace Renewal Letters Are Coming: What to Do Before November 1If you have a Marketplace health plan, two letters about next year should reach you by November 1. HealthCare.gov says one comes from your insurance...Read the article →Marketplace Open Enrollment Dates for Self-Employed PeopleNovember 1 through January 15. That is the yearly window HealthCare.gov lists for enrolling in, renewing, or changing a Marketplace health plan. Their...Read the article →How Self-Employed People Can Deduct Health Insurance PremiumsYes, in most cases you can. If you work for yourself and show a profit, the IRS lets you deduct what you pay for health insurance for yourself, your...Read the article →