Term vs. universal life insurance — what’s the actual difference, and which one makes sense for you? A licensed broker breaks it down without the jargon.
15 Oct
14 Oct
Open Enrollment is the one time each year you can sign up for a Marketplace health plan, or change the one you have, without a special reason. If you buy your own coverage, because you’re self-employed, retired early or your job doesn’t offer insurance, this is the window that matters.
The dates that matter for 2027 coverage
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment begins |
| December 15, 2026 | Enroll by this date for coverage starting January 1, 2027 |
| [Final deadline: to be confirmed] | Last day to enroll for 2027 coverage |
If you live in Florida, Alabama, Michigan or New Hampshire, you enroll through HealthCare.gov. Georgia runs its own marketplace, Georgia Access, so its process can differ.
Already have a Marketplace plan? Don’t just auto-renew
If you do nothing, you’ll usually be renewed into the same plan or a similar one. That’s convenient, but it can cost you. Premiums, networks and drug lists change every year, and so can the tax credit you qualify for.
- Update your income estimate. Your premium tax credit is based on what you expect to earn in 2027. Estimate too low and you may owe money at tax time. Estimate too high and you pay more each month than you need to.
- Check your doctors. Make sure the doctors you see are still in your plan’s network for 2027.
- Check your prescriptions. Look at whether your drugs are still covered and what they’ll cost.
- Compare the total cost. A lower premium often means a higher deductible. Pick the plan that fits how you actually use healthcare.
What to have ready
- Your best estimate of household income for 2027
- Names, birth dates and Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Any job-based coverage offers in your household, even if you don’t plan to take them
- A list of your doctors and prescriptions
Missed Open Enrollment?
Outside Open Enrollment, you can only enroll if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Common reasons include losing other health coverage, moving, getting married, or having or adopting a baby. You usually have 60 days from the event to enroll.
Let us do the comparing
We help families and self-employed people across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan and New Hampshire find the right plan, at no cost to you. Call us at 786-319-7679 or get your quote on our Health page.
13 Oct
Every fall, Medicare Annual Enrollment gives you a window to look at your coverage and make changes for the coming year. It runs from October 15 to December 7, and any change you make takes effect on January 1.
Many people skip it because their plan “seems fine.” But plans change every year: premiums, drug lists and doctor networks can all shift. A 20-minute review now can save you a surprise in January.
What you can change during Medicare Annual Enrollment
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way around
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage to one without, or the other way around
Five things to check before you renew
- Read your Annual Notice of Change. Your plan mails it each fall. It lists what changes on January 1: premiums, copays, deductibles and covered drugs.
- Check your prescriptions. Make sure each of your drugs is still on the plan’s list, and at what cost tier. A drug moving to a higher tier can raise your costs quickly.
- Check your doctors and hospitals. Medicare Advantage networks change. Confirm your doctors and preferred hospital are still in network for next year.
- Compare total yearly costs, not just the premium. A $0 premium plan can cost more overall if its copays and out-of-pocket maximum are higher. Add up what you actually expect to use. You can also compare plans side by side on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder.
- Think about the year ahead. A planned surgery, a new diagnosis or more travel can all change which plan fits you best.
What about Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?
Medicare Annual Enrollment covers Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Medigap works differently. You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time, but outside your Medigap open enrollment period, insurers in most states can review your health and may charge more or decline coverage. If you’re thinking about switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, talk to us first so we can check your options before you make a change.
What if you miss the Medicare Annual Enrollment deadline?
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, from January 1 to March 31. During that time you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or go back to Original Medicare and add a Part D plan. You can make one change.
Some life events, like moving, losing other coverage or qualifying for extra help, can also open a Special Enrollment Period at other times of the year.
How we can help
As an independent broker, we compare plans from multiple insurance companies side by side, using your actual doctors and prescriptions. It costs you nothing, and there’s no obligation. If your current plan is still the best fit, we’ll tell you that too. The sooner we review your plan, the more time you have before Medicare Annual Enrollment closes on December 7.
Call us at 305-677-9912, message us on WhatsApp at 786-319-7679, or visit our Medicare page to get started.
01 Jul
Shopping for self-employed health insurance? When you work for yourself, there’s no HR department to hand you a benefits packet. No employer picking up half the premium. Just you, a list of confusing plan names, and a deadline you don’t want to miss.
I’ve helped a lot of self-employed people navigate this — freelancers, contractors, business owners who finally broke off on their own. And the first thing most of them say is the same: “I didn’t realize how many options I actually had.”
Here’s a simple breakdown.
Your self-employed health insurance options
ACA Marketplace plans (the most common path)
If you don’t have access to coverage through a spouse’s employer plan, the ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) is usually where you start. These plans are organized by metal tier: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The right tier depends on how often you use healthcare, not just on which one has the lowest monthly premium.
One thing a lot of self-employed people miss: your income determines whether you qualify for a premium tax credit that reduces your monthly cost. If your income fluctuates year to year — which it often does when you’re your own boss — this requires some planning. For example, if you underestimate your income, you may owe money back at tax time. On the other hand, if you overestimate it, you leave credits on the table.
Short-Term health plans
These can fill a gap if you’re between coverage periods. However, they come with real limitations: they typically don’t cover pre-existing conditions, and they aren’t ACA-compliant. They work for some situations, but I wouldn’t lean on one as a long-term solution.
Health sharing plans
Not insurance, technically. Members share healthcare costs. These can be less expensive, but the protections are different from traditional insurance. Read the fine print carefully before committing.
HSA-Eligible High-Deductible plans
If you’re generally healthy and want to build tax-advantaged savings for medical costs, pairing a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) is worth considering. Contributions are tax-deductible and grow tax-free. You can then use them for qualified medical expenses, now or later.
The part people get wrong: Comparing plans by premium only
The monthly premium is what people look at first. It makes sense — that’s the number you see every month. But the premium is only one piece of the cost picture.
You also need to think about:
- Deductible — how much you pay before insurance starts covering costs
- Out-of-pocket maximum — the most you’d ever pay in a given year
- Network — whether your current doctors and any specialists you use are covered
- Prescription coverage — if you take regular medications, run the numbers on what they’ll cost under each plan
For example, a Bronze plan might save you $200 a month in premiums. But if it comes with a $7,000 deductible and you have a health event, you’ll pay far more out of pocket than a Gold plan would have cost you.
Open Enrollment dates for self-employed health insurance
For ACA Marketplace plans, the standard Open Enrollment Period typically runs from November 1 through January 15 (dates can shift slightly year to year). Outside of that window, you can only enroll after a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby.
If you’re newly self-employed and just lost employer coverage, that loss of coverage is a qualifying event that starts a 60-day special enrollment window. Don’t let it lapse.
What I’d tell a friend who’s self-employed
Don’t buy on price alone. And don’t do this alone if you don’t have to. An independent broker — one who isn’t tied to a single carrier — can walk you through what’s available in your area, run the numbers based on your actual situation, and help you choose a plan that makes sense for how you use healthcare.
That’s what I do for clients every day. If you’re self-employed in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, New Hampshire, or Michigan and want to talk through your options, reach out. No pressure — just a straight conversation.
Eduardo Dominguez is a Licensed Insurance Broker with 26 years of experience. He serves individuals and families across FL, GA, AL, NH, and MI. | lifelineig.com
29 Jan
Prepare your small/medium business for any unexpected changes with a Buy-Sell Agreement. Find out more about the triggers and components.