Quick answer
If you don’t get health insurance through a job, you can buy an individual plan on HealthCare.gov or your state’s marketplace, directly from an insurer, or through a licensed agent. ACA-compliant individual plans must cover essential benefits and pre-existing conditions, with free preventive care and no lifetime or yearly dollar limits. If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, a premium tax credit can lower your cost, but only for plans bought through the marketplace.
Key takeaways
- Individual plans can’t turn you down or charge more for your health.
- Premium tax credits are only available through the marketplace.
- In 2026 the average benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old cost $625 a month before subsidies; the average enrollee paid $178 after subsidies.
- You can buy during open enrollment or within 60 days of a qualifying life event.
- Insurers can’t cancel your coverage because you get sick.
On this page
Who buys individual health insurance
- People whose job doesn’t offer coverage, or whose job-based offer isn’t affordable.
- Self-employed people and freelancers.
- Early retirees under 65.
- People between jobs who don’t want COBRA.
- Young adults aging off a parent’s plan at 26.
If you have an affordable job-based offer, that’s usually the better deal. See is it cheaper to get health insurance through your employer.
What individual plans must cover
ACA-compliant plans cover 10 essential health benefits, including doctor visits, hospital care, maternity care, mental health care, prescriptions and lab work like blood tests. Preventive care is free when you see an in-network provider, including many cancer screenings, vaccines and checkups.
Your protections
- No health questions. Insurers can’t deny you or charge more because of a pre-existing condition.
- No dollar limits. No lifetime or yearly limits on essential health benefits.
- No cancellation for getting sick. Insurers can only rescind a policy for fraud or intentional misrepresentation, and must give you 30 days’ notice.
- Appeals. You can appeal a denied claim and ask for an independent review. See how to appeal a health insurance claim denial.
- A cap on yearly costs. In-network out-of-pocket costs are capped at $10,600 for one person in 2026 and $12,000 in 2027.
What individual coverage costs
Your price depends on your age, where you live, tobacco use and the plan level. In 2026 the average benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old cost $625 a month before subsidies, ranging from $401 in New Hampshire to $1,299 in Vermont. After subsidies, the average marketplace enrollee paid $178 a month. See how much health insurance costs per month for a single person.
Where to buy
| Where | Tax credit available? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace | Yes | Shows every marketplace plan in your area |
| Directly from an insurer | No | Same ACA rules. Some plans are only sold off the exchange |
| Licensed agent or broker | Yes, if they enroll you through the marketplace | Free to you. Ask which insurers they represent |
When you can enroll
For 2027 coverage, open enrollment on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Sign up by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Outside that window, you need a qualifying life event, like losing other coverage or moving. To pay less, see how to lower your Marketplace premium for 2027.
Related guides: 2027 Obamacare income limits, health insurance for a 26-year-old, a 40-year-old and a 60-year-old.
See individual plans and prices in your area: compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Is individual health insurance more expensive than job-based coverage?
Before subsidies, usually, since employers pay most of the premium for job-based plans. With a premium tax credit, an individual plan can cost much less.
Can I buy an individual plan if I have a pre-existing condition?
Yes. ACA-compliant individual plans can’t deny you or charge more because of your health.
Can I buy individual health insurance any time of year?
Only during open enrollment or after a qualifying life event, unless you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, which accept applications all year.
Sources
This article is general information, not insurance or tax advice. Prices and plans vary by state and age. Last reviewed September 2026.