Arizona Health Insurance for Self-Employed People and Families
Looking for health insurance in Arizona? We help self-employed people, 1099 workers, families and small business owners compare Marketplace and private health insurance options based on their needs, budget, doctors and prescriptions.
1099 Health Insurance is a Phoenix-based Arizona health insurance agency. We've been helping Arizonans understand their health coverage options since 2019. Most consultations are handled conveniently by phone and screen-share, so we can review plans together wherever you are in Arizona.
With Cigna leaving the individual medical market, proposed rate changes for 2027, changing provider networks and new AHCCCS requirements, this is an especially important year to compare your options instead of automatically renewing.
Arizona Health Insurance at a Glance for 2027
| Arizona Health Insurance Marketplace | HealthCare.gov |
|---|---|
| 2027 Open Enrollment | November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027 |
| January 1 coverage deadline | Enroll by December 15, 2026 |
| 2027 Marketplace insurers | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona Complete Health, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, Imperial and Antidote. Availability varies by county. |
| Leaving the individual market | Cigna will no longer offer Individual and Family medical plans for 2027. |
| Proposed 2027 rate changes | Approximately +3.3% to +33.9% depending on the insurer, before subsidies. These are proposed average changes, not each customer's individual premium change. |
| Marketplace premium tax credits | Eligible households generally need income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, along with meeting the other Marketplace eligibility requirements. |
| AHCCCS | Arizona has expanded Medicaid. Income and other eligibility rules determine who qualifies. |
| Private health insurance | Private options outside the Marketplace may also be available depending on the plan and applicant's eligibility. |
What's Changing for Arizona Health Insurance in 2027?
Cigna is leaving the individual medical market
Cigna has announced that it will no longer offer Individual and Family medical plans for 2027.
If you currently have a Cigna individual plan, you'll need to review replacement coverage during Open Enrollment. Don't choose a replacement based only on the monthly premium. Check your doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, deductible and expected out-of-pocket costs too.
Proposed Arizona health insurance rates are changing
Arizona Marketplace insurers have filed proposed average rate changes for 2027. These are full-price changes before subsidies and are not the exact increase every member will see.
| Insurance Company | Proposed Average 2027 Rate Change |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona | +29.6% |
| Imperial Insurance | +30.1% |
| Arizona Complete Health | +24.6% |
| Oscar Health | +33.9% |
| UnitedHealthcare of Arizona | +28.6% |
| Antidote Health Plan of Arizona | +3.3% |
| Cigna | Exiting Individual & Family medical coverage for 2027 |
A proposed percentage increase does not tell you exactly what you will pay. Your actual premium can depend on your age, ZIP code, plan choice, household information and eligibility for financial assistance.
Because the insurers are requesting very different changes, a plan that was a good value in 2026 may not be the best option for you in 2027.
Marketplace subsidies changed after 2025
The temporary enhanced Marketplace subsidies expired after 2025. Under current rules, premium tax credits generally apply to otherwise eligible households with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
This is especially important for self-employed Arizonans because Marketplace financial assistance is based on expected annual household income.
If your income changes during the year or is close to an eligibility threshold, update your Marketplace application and speak with your tax professional about your individual tax situation.
AHCCCS requirements change in January 2027
Beginning in January 2027, certain adults in Arizona's Medicaid expansion population will need to meet new federal community-engagement requirements.
For affected members, the requirement generally means completing at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activities such as work, education, job training or community service, or earning at least $580 during the month.
Many people are exempt, including certain pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, caregivers and other qualifying groups. Certain affected Medicaid expansion adults will also have to renew their AHCCCS eligibility every six months rather than once a year.
Health Insurance for Self-Employed Arizonans
Arizona has thousands of entrepreneurs, freelancers, independent contractors and other workers who don't receive health insurance through a traditional employer.
When you're paying for your own health insurance, the monthly premium is only one part of the decision. We can help you compare:
- Monthly premiums
- Deductibles and out-of-pocket exposure
- Provider networks
- Hospitals and specialists
- Prescription coverage
- Marketplace subsidy eligibility
- Marketplace versus private health insurance options
We regularly help:
Arizona Health Insurance Options
Marketplace Health Insurance
Arizona uses HealthCare.gov for individual and family Marketplace coverage.
Marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions and include the consumer protections and essential health benefits required under federal law.
The Marketplace is also where eligible consumers can receive income-based premium tax credits.
Private Health Insurance
Some Arizona residents may also qualify for private health insurance outside the Marketplace.
Depending on the product, private plans may use medical underwriting and may have different provider networks, benefits, exclusions, deductibles and eligibility requirements than Marketplace plans.
Marketplace premium tax credits cannot be used to pay for coverage purchased outside the Marketplace.
We can help you compare the differences so you understand what you're buying before you apply.
AHCCCS and KidsCare
AHCCCS is Arizona's Medicaid program and provides health coverage to eligible Arizona residents based on income and other program requirements.
Children whose household income is too high for AHCCCS may qualify for Arizona's KidsCare program.
AHCCCS and KidsCare applications are available throughout the year.
Short-Term Health Insurance
Short-term health insurance may help fill a temporary gap in coverage in certain situations.
Short-term plans can use medical underwriting, may exclude pre-existing conditions and are not required to provide all of the protections and benefits required of Marketplace major medical coverage.
Policy duration and renewal options can vary based on current rules and the specific insurance company.
Health Sharing Programs
Some Arizona residents consider health sharing memberships. Health sharing programs are not health insurance.
They do not guarantee payment of medical expenses in the same way an insurance policy guarantees payment of covered claims according to the terms of the policy.
Small Business Health Insurance
Arizona employers may have access to traditional small-group coverage and other employer health benefit arrangements.
Dental, Vision and Supplemental Coverage
Dental, vision, accident, critical illness and other supplemental coverage may be available alongside your medical coverage.
Individual and Family Health Insurance
Whether you need coverage just for yourself, for a spouse or for your whole family, we can help compare plans based on your Arizona ZIP code, doctors, medications and budget.
Check Your Arizona Doctors and Hospitals Before Enrolling
Provider networks can vary significantly between Arizona health insurance plans.
A doctor who accepts one plan from an insurance company may not participate in every plan offered by that same insurance company.
Before enrolling, check the specific plan network for the doctors, specialists and hospitals you expect to use.
Depending on where you live, that may include:
- Banner Health
- HonorHealth
- Dignity Health
- Mayo Clinic
- Phoenix Children's
- Tucson Medical Center
During a phone or screen-share consultation, we can help check your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions while reviewing the plans you're considering.
Arizona Health Insurance Throughout All 15 Counties
Our Phoenix-based health insurance agency helps clients throughout Arizona by phone and screen-share.
Health insurance availability and pricing can vary by ZIP code and county. Rural Arizona may have different choices than Maricopa County or Pima County.
- Apache County
- Cochise County
- Coconino County
- Gila County
- Graham County
- Greenlee County
- La Paz County
- Maricopa County
- Mohave County
- Navajo County
- Pima County
- Pinal County
- Santa Cruz County
- Yavapai County
- Yuma County
We regularly help clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Yuma and communities throughout the state.
Convenient Arizona Health Insurance Consultations
Most consultations are completed by phone or screen-share. This makes it easy to review plans together, compare benefits and networks, and answer your questions in real time without needing to travel anywhere.
How It Works
Schedule a Call
Pick a convenient time for a phone consultation. If screen-sharing would be helpful, we can review plan information together on your computer or device.
Compare Your Options
We review the coverage available to you, your doctors, prescriptions, expected costs and whether Marketplace or private coverage may fit your situation.
Choose and Apply
If you find an option you want, we help with the application and remain available when you have questions after enrollment.
Arizona Health Insurance FAQ
When is Arizona health insurance Open Enrollment for 2027?
Arizona Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027.
Enroll by December 15 for coverage beginning January 1. If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, coverage generally begins February 1.
Can I start comparing 2027 Arizona health insurance before November 1?
Yes. You can begin reviewing your expected health needs, doctors, prescriptions and coverage choices before Open Enrollment begins. HealthCare.gov also allows consumers to preview plan and price information as it becomes available.
How do consultations work?
Most consultations are completed by phone. When it is useful to look at plan details together, we can also use screen-sharing so you can see the coverage information while we discuss it.
What happens if I currently have a Cigna individual health plan?
Cigna has announced that it will no longer offer Individual and Family medical plans for 2027. Current Cigna individual members should compare replacement coverage during Open Enrollment.
Make sure the replacement plan includes the doctors, prescriptions and hospitals that matter to you.
Which insurance companies are expected to offer Arizona Marketplace plans for 2027?
Current 2027 information indicates six insurers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona Complete Health, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, Imperial and Antidote.
Not every insurance company or plan is available in every Arizona county, so availability should be checked using your ZIP code before enrolling.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona still offer Marketplace PPO plans?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona's individual Marketplace offering for 2026 consisted of HMO coverage after the carrier discontinued its Marketplace PPO plans.
The network type and specific 2027 plan details should always be confirmed before enrolling.
How much will Arizona health insurance cost in 2027?
Your cost depends on factors including your age, ZIP code, household, income, selected plan and eligibility for Marketplace financial assistance.
Current proposed average carrier rate changes range from approximately 3.3% to 33.9%, but those percentages do not predict any one person's exact monthly premium.
Can self-employed people in Arizona get a Marketplace subsidy?
Yes, if they meet the eligibility requirements. Under current rules, premium tax credits generally apply to eligible households with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
Access to other qualifying coverage and other Marketplace eligibility rules can also affect whether you qualify.
Can self-employed people choose private health insurance instead?
In some situations, yes. Private health insurance outside the Marketplace may be available to applicants who meet the plan's eligibility and underwriting requirements.
Private plans can differ significantly from Marketplace coverage, so compare benefits, exclusions, networks, prescription coverage and out-of-pocket costs carefully.
What is changing with AHCCCS in 2027?
Beginning in January 2027, certain Medicaid expansion adults will need to meet federal community-engagement requirements.
For affected members, the requirement generally means completing at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activities or earning at least $580 during the month. Numerous exemptions apply.
Certain affected adults will also have AHCCCS eligibility reviewed every six months.
Can I buy Arizona health insurance outside Open Enrollment?
Marketplace coverage generally requires Open Enrollment or eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period caused by a qualifying event such as losing other coverage, getting married, having a baby or certain moves.
AHCCCS and KidsCare applications are available year-round. Certain private, short-term, health sharing and supplemental options may also be available at other times of the year, although they are not all equivalent to Marketplace major medical coverage.
Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in Arizona?
Arizona does not currently impose its own individual health insurance mandate penalty, and the federal individual mandate penalty is currently $0.
Can you help me check whether my doctor is in network?
Yes. Have the names of your doctors, specialists, preferred hospitals and prescriptions ready for your consultation. We can help check them while reviewing the plans you're considering.
Talk With a Phoenix-Based Arizona Health Insurance Agent
Whether you're self-employed, buying family coverage, leaving a job or reviewing your existing coverage for 2027, we can help you compare Marketplace and private health insurance options by phone or screen-share.
Arizona Health Insurance Sources
- Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions — 2027 Open Enrollment and consumer health insurance information
- HealthCare.gov — Marketplace Open Enrollment dates, coverage effective dates and premium tax credit information
- Federal Rate Review Database — proposed Arizona 2027 individual-market rate filings
- Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) — Medicaid eligibility and 2027 community-engagement changes
- Cigna Healthcare — 2027 Individual and Family medical-plan announcement
- Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions — insurer, network and consumer-protection information
