If you are a 1099 worker in North Texas (a real estate agent, contractor, consultant or gig worker) you have no employer benefits, and one bad medical bill can do real damage. Here are the real options, what each one does, and the trade-offs, so you can choose with clear eyes.
Option 1: An ACA Marketplace Plan
An ACA plan is comprehensive major medical coverage. It covers pre-existing conditions, essential health benefits and preventive care, and it caps your yearly out-of-pocket costs. Depending on your income, you may qualify for a premium subsidy. The extra pandemic-era subsidies ended after 2025, so 2026 subsidies are smaller for many people, but many self-employed Texans still qualify for help.
The trade-off: many lower-premium plans have high deductibles, so you may pay a lot yourself before the plan pays. You can enroll during Open Enrollment, or after a qualifying life event. You can compare ACA plans and subsidies online, or we can do it with you.
Option 2: ManhattanLife Affordable Choice (Limited-Benefit)
If an ACA plan does not fit your budget, ManhattanLife Affordable Choice is a limited-benefit, fixed-indemnity plan that pays set dollar amounts for things like doctor’s office visits, hospital admission, surgery, and ER or urgent care. According to ManhattanLife’s 2026 brochure, it is available for ages 18–64 and has a $5,000,000 lifetime benefit maximum. It accepts applicants with an ITIN.
Be clear on what it is: Affordable Choice is not major medical insurance and does not meet ACA Minimum Essential Coverage. Benefits are fixed amounts and may be less than your actual bills. For someone who cannot afford a Blue Cross plan, though, it can be much better than having nothing.
Option 3: Add Cash Benefits on Top of Any Plan
Many 1099 workers pair a main plan with supplemental policies that pay cash directly to you, which you can use toward a deductible, rent or lost income:
- Hospital Indemnity Select: pays a daily benefit if you are hospitalized; ages 18–89, guaranteed renewable for life.
- Accident (PAID): pays benefits for covered accidental injuries; ages 18–84, guaranteed renewable.
- Out-of-Pocket Protection: pays a hospital admission benefit and a daily inpatient benefit, in addition to any other insurance, with no deductibles and no networks.
These are supplemental policies, not replacements for health insurance.
Is There a “No Deductible” Plan?
Be careful with any ad that promises “zero deductible, zero coinsurance” health coverage for a low price. Fixed-indemnity and supplemental plans often have no deductible, but that is because they pay set amounts, not your full bill. Comprehensive coverage with a very low deductible usually costs more. We will show you exactly how any plan pays before you buy.
What Does It Cost?
Prices depend on your age, ZIP code, income (for ACA subsidies), tobacco use and the benefits you choose, so we do not publish one-size-fits-all prices. A quote takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
Taxes for the Self-Employed
Self-employed people can often deduct health insurance premiums. Rules apply, so ask your tax advisor how this works for you.
Which Option Fits You?
- You have ongoing health conditions or regular prescriptions: start with an ACA plan.
- You are healthy and an ACA plan is out of reach: look at Affordable Choice, knowing it is limited-benefit.
- You have a high-deductible plan: consider adding hospital, accident or out-of-pocket cash benefits.
To compare ManhattanLife options yourself, see ManhattanLife plans and apply online.
Talk to a licensed agent
Brilliant Insurance is an independent agency in Plano, Texas. David Gustafson is a licensed agent (Texas License #2116912, NPN 18037219) and can compare options from many carriers for you, at no cost to you.
Book a free 30-minute call or call (972) 750-3031.
This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Plans, prices and availability vary by carrier, age, health and location. Coverage is subject to the policy’s terms, limitations and exclusions.
