No Employer Health Plan? Get Affordable Coverage

Daniel Kurt
Nov 7, 2025
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Main takeaways

The health insurance Marketplace is an easy way to compare plans—and you may qualify for tax credits.

A job loss or lower income could make you eligible for low-cost coverage through the Medicaid or CHIP programs.

Short-term health plans are generally cheaper than COBRA, but come with certain exclusions.

Staying on a parent’s plan until you reach age 26 can be more affordable than buying your own coverage, even if you’re married or financially independent.

Whether you're self-employed, in between gigs or simply working a job that doesn’t offer benefits, finding an affordable healthcare plan can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: there are several ways to keep your costs in check while getting the coverage you need.

The key is knowing where to look. In this guide, we’ll break down the smartest ways to save on health insurance, so you can stay protected without wrecking your budget.

Visit the Healthcare marketplace.

If you’re shopping on the individual market, your state’s marketplace—or the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, if your state doesn’t have its own—is usually a great place to start. Simply enter some basic information about yourself and anyone else in your household who needs coverage, and it will generate a list of plans along with their monthly premium.

Using the Marketplace offers a number of important advantages that you won’t get if you look elsewhere. For example:

You could qualify for a "premium tax credit" that lowers that amount you have to pay every month, based on your income.

You cannot be denied coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes or cancer.

You’re guaranteed to receive coverage for 10 essential health benefits, like hospitalizations, emergency services and prescription drugs.

Looking up plans on the federal marketplace website, or the one in your state, is the easiest way to compare your options. But you can also enroll over the phone by calling 1-800-318-2596 or by going through an approved insurance company or health insurance broker.

Check your Medicaid eligibility.

When you apply for insurance using your state’s exchange or Healthcare.gov, the site will automatically check if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) based on your income and household size. Even if you wouldn’t otherwise qualify, a sudden decrease in your earnings following a job loss could make you eligible.

If you qualify, you won’t be able to pick a Marketplace plan—instead, your application will be sent to your state’s Medicaid office for final approval. Medicaid enrollment is year-round, so you don’t have to wait for Open Enrollment.

There are pros and cons to Medicaid, so it’s important to weigh your options. In most cases, you pay little to nothing for doctor visits, hospital stays and prescriptions. But not all doctors and specialists accept patients from the program, which can make it challenging to find high-quality care. If you don’t want to part ways with your current physician, make sure they take Medicaid patients before moving forward.

Consider short-term coverage.

If you’re in between jobs, a law known as COBRA allows you to stay on your previous employer’s plan for a minimum of 18 months. Because you have to pay the full premium when your employment ends, however, this can be a pricey option.

Signing on for a short-term health plan can be a less expensive alternative—at least if you’re relatively healthy. Unlike Marketplace plans, short-term plans can increase your premiums or deny you coverage for pre-existing conditions. And they usually don’t offer coverage that’s as comprehensive, either.

But short-term plans do provide reimbursement for preventive care, doctor visits and emergency room care. Some provide coverage for prescription drugs as well. Needless to say, you’ll want to read the policy’s “exclusions and limitations” carefully to avoid any surprises.

Go on your parent’s plan.

Even if you’re otherwise financially independent, you may be eligible to go on your parent’s health insurance plan until the age of 26. Being added as a dependent on someone else’s plan is often less expensive than shopping for a policy on your own. That’s especially true if your parent has a work-based plan that’s subsidized by their employer.

Keep in mind that you can usually stay on your parent’s plan even if you’re married, have a child or no longer living at home. You don’t have to be considered a dependent for tax purposes, either.

The upshot

Health insurance doesn’t have to drain your wallet, even if you don’t have the option of coverage through work. By exploring your options—including the Marketplace, Medicaid and short-term health plans—you can find a policy that fits both your health needs and your budget.