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Finding affordable health insurance without an employer plan is harder than it should be. I make it straightforward.
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Health Insurance — Three Paths to Coverage, One Broker to Compare Them All
Who This Page Is For
If you get health coverage through an employer and you're happy with it, you probably don't need me. But if any of the following describes you, you're in the right place:
- You're self-employed or own a small business
- You're between jobs and evaluating your options
- You took early retirement before Medicare eligibility at 65
- Your employer doesn't offer coverage or the plan offered isn't worth the cost
- You earn too much for a meaningful ACA subsidy and you're looking at alternatives
- You're a small business owner considering group coverage for your employees
I'm an independent health insurance broker based in Oregon, licensed in 16 states, and I represent options across ACA marketplace plans, health sharing cooperatives, and small group employer coverage. Using a broker to shop health insurance costs you nothing — my compensation is built into every plan, the same whether you work with me or go direct.
Three Ways to Get Health Coverage
Life Insurance
Term, whole life, or indexed universal life — I help families and individuals find the right coverage without overcomplicating it. If you've been putting this off, let's make it a straightforward conversation.
Learn About Medicare Supplement Plans
Part D plans cover prescription medications through private carriers approved by Medicare. If you're enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan, you'll need a standalone Part D plan to cover your prescriptions. Costs and formularies vary — I compare plans based on your specific medications to find the lowest real-world cost.
Oregon residents shop individual and family health insurance through HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 each year, with Special Enrollment Periods available for qualifying life events. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, premium tax credits have been significantly expanded — many middle-income Oregonians now qualify for subsidies that weren't available to them before.
If you're not sure what you'd qualify for, that's one of the first things we figure out together. I compare plans across all available carriers on the Oregon marketplace and help you find the combination of premium, deductible, and network that makes the most sense for your situation.
ACA Marketplace Plans
Health sharing cooperatives are not traditional insurance — they're membership-based programs where participants share each other's medical costs according to a set of guidelines. They're not regulated the same way insurance is, and they come with real limitations worth understanding. But for clients who earn above the ACA subsidy threshold and are paying full marketplace premiums, health sharing can meaningfully reduce monthly costs.
I present health sharing as one option among several — not a universal solution. If it fits your situation and you understand the trade-offs, it's worth considering. If it doesn't, I'll tell you.
Health Sharing Cooperative Plans
If you own a business with two or more employees, you may be eligible for small group health coverage — often with better plan options and more predictable costs than individual market alternatives. Small group plans are also a meaningful recruiting and retention tool for small businesses competing for talent.
I work with small business owners across Oregon and other states to find group plans that fit both the business's budget and the employees' needs.
Small Group Health Insurance
Why Use a Broker to Shop Health Insurance?
A question I hear often: "Does using a broker cost me more?"
It doesn't. Broker compensation is built into every health insurance premium at the carrier level. You pay the same whether you enroll through a broker or go directly to the carrier — and using a broker doesn't affect your ACA subsidy in any way.
What you get in exchange for that same cost:
- A comparison across multiple carriers and plan structures, not just one company's options
- Help understanding what the deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and network restrictions actually mean for your situation
- Guidance on subsidy eligibility and how your income affects your options
- Ongoing support when questions come up after enrollment
Common Questions About Health Insurance
How do I find affordable health insurance in Oregon without an employer plan?
Start by understanding which of the three main paths applies to your situation — ACA marketplace plans, health sharing cooperatives, or small group coverage if you have employees. Your income, family size, and health needs all affect which option delivers the best value. I compare all three and help you find the right fit at no added cost.
What is the open enrollment period for health insurance in Oregon?
Oregon's individual marketplace open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 each year. Outside that window, you can enroll only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period — triggered by events like losing other coverage, getting married, or having a child. I help clients determine whether they qualify and make sure enrollment is completed correctly.
Does using an independent health insurance broker in Oregon cost anything?
No. Broker compensation is built into every health insurance plan at the carrier level. You pay the same premium whether you work with a broker or enroll on your own — and your ACA subsidy is not affected by using a broker.
What health insurance options are available for self-employed people in Oregon?
Self-employed Oregonians can access ACA marketplace plans (often with subsidies based on net income), health sharing cooperatives, and in some cases small group coverage if they have employees. There's also a federal self-employed health insurance deduction worth understanding before you choose a plan. I work through both the coverage options and the financial context with self-employed clients.
What's the difference between ACA marketplace plans and health sharing cooperatives?
ACA marketplace plans are regulated health insurance with guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions, standardized benefits, and subsidy eligibility for qualifying incomes. Health sharing cooperatives are membership programs that are not traditional insurance — they offer lower monthly costs but come with more restrictions and no guarantee of coverage. Health sharing is a legitimate option for some clients, particularly those above the subsidy threshold, but it requires a clear understanding of the trade-offs before enrolling.
I earn too much for a subsidy but ACA premiums feel unaffordable. What are my options?
This is where health sharing cooperatives are worth examining. For Oregonians whose income puts them above the subsidy threshold, health sharing can significantly reduce monthly costs compared to full-premium marketplace plans — if the trade-offs are acceptable for their health situation. I walk through both options honestly and help you decide based on your actual needs and risk tolerance.
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What Self-Employed Oregonians Often Don't Know
Self-employed health insurance has its own rules — and its own tax advantages. If you're self-employed and paying for your own health coverage, you may be able to deduct 100% of your premiums from your federal taxable income, regardless of whether you itemize. That deduction changes the real cost of coverage significantly and affects which plan makes the most financial sense.
Beyond the deduction, self-employed individuals often qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies based on their net income — which can be lower than their gross revenue after business expenses. Getting that calculation right before choosing a plan matters.
I work through both the coverage options and the financial context with self-employed clients, and I refer to your CPA when the tax picture needs a closer look.