Rideshare · Delivery · Freelance platforms

Health insurance for 1099 and gig workers in Michigan

App-based work doesn’t come with a health plan, but you can still get one, often with a tax credit. Here’s how to estimate uneven income and avoid a surprise at tax time.

Your info goes to one licensed Michigan advisor, never sold. Not to a call center, not to a list of “partners.”

Marketplace + tax credits
Uneven income help
HSA-eligible Bronze

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Driving, delivering or freelancing through an app?

If a rideshare, delivery or freelance platform pays you on a 1099, you’re self-employed for health insurance purposes. The platform doesn’t have to cover you, but you can buy a Marketplace plan and may qualify for a tax credit.

Count net income, not payouts. The Marketplace counts self-employment income after business expenses, such as deductible mileage, phone and supplies. [HealthCare.gov, what counts as income]
Add up every source. Gig income, any W-2 job, a spouse’s income and unemployment all go into one household estimate.
Uneven months are normal. HealthCare.gov says to report your current income, use its yearly estimate, then update your application as changes happen.

Report changes as soon as you can

Advance credits are based on your estimate. Starting with 2026 coverage, there’s no cap on paying back excess advance credit at tax time, so a busy year you didn’t report can mean a tax bill. [26 U.S.C. §36B; OBBBA §71305]

A slower year works the other way: report it, and your monthly credit can go up.

Estimate my income with an advisor

Gig work plus a part-time job? Check the job’s offer

If an employer offers you coverage, it changes whether you can get a Marketplace credit:

You: for 2027, a job-based offer counts as affordable if your share for self-only coverage is no more than 10.22% of household income. If it’s affordable and meets minimum value, you can’t get a credit for yourself. [IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26]
Your family: since 2023, family members are tested on the cost of family coverage, not just yours. If the family premium is over the limit, your spouse and kids may qualify for credits even when your own coverage is affordable. [IRS; CMS “family glitch” guidance]

Plan types worth a look

HSA-eligible Bronze. Starting in 2026, all Bronze and Catastrophic Marketplace plans are HSA-eligible. [healthinsurance.org]
Catastrophic plans are generally for people under 30 or with a hardship exemption. Michigan had 4 Catastrophic plans in the 2026 CMS file, from Blue Care Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and McLaren. They don’t qualify for tax credits. [CMS QHP Landscape PY2026; HealthCare.gov]
Silver with extra savings. If income is under 250% of the poverty level, Silver plans also lower deductibles and copays. [HealthCare.gov]

Full-price 2026 premiums in Michigan’s busiest gig markets

County (2026)	Insurers	Lowest Bronze, age 40	Benchmark Silver, age 40
Kent (Grand Rapids)	7	$356.39	$471.47
Wayne (Detroit)	5	$348.64	$507.80
Oakland (Troy)	5	$345.23	$507.18
Macomb (Warren)	5	$345.23	$507.18
Washtenaw (Ann Arbor)	5	$421.33	$488.96
Genesee (Flint)	6	$380.93	$388.03
Ingham (Lansing)	5	$416.21	$448.22
Kalamazoo	6	$422.01	$449.91
Ottawa (Holland)	6	$356.39	$471.47
Muskegon	5	$356.39	$471.47
Saginaw	4	$400.90	$632.60
Grand Traverse (Traverse City)	4	$375.09	$591.88

Source: CMS QHP Landscape Individual Market Medical file, plan year 2026, computed by county. Monthly full-price premiums for non-tobacco users before any premium tax credit. “Benchmark” is the second-lowest-cost Silver plan, which sets the size of the tax credit. 2027 plans and prices aren’t published yet.

Running it as a real business, with an LLC, a SEP-IRA or the premium deduction? Read the self-employed guide. Bringing on a helper? See small-business options.

2-minute advisor Q&A

Gig work and health insurance in 2 minutes

A Nexus advisor answers the questions we hear most. (Video coming soon.)

What income do I report for app work?
My part-time job offers a plan. Now what?
What if I earn more than I estimated?

2-minute advisor Q&A Video coming soon

Frequently asked questions

Can gig workers get health insurance in Michigan?

Yes. If you're paid on a 1099 by an app or platform, you can buy a Marketplace plan on HealthCare.gov and may qualify for a premium tax credit based on your expected household income for the year.

What income do I report for rideshare or delivery work?

Report your expected self-employment income after business expenses, plus any other household income. Update your Marketplace application as your income changes during the year.

I have a part-time job that offers insurance. Can I still get a subsidy?

Only if the offer isn't affordable or doesn't meet minimum value. For 2027, self-only coverage is affordable if your share is no more than 10.22% of household income. Family members are tested separately using the family premium.

What happens if I make more than I estimated?

You reconcile the credit on your tax return. Starting with 2026 coverage there's no cap on repaying excess advance credits, so report income increases as soon as you can.

Can I get a catastrophic plan?

Generally only if you're under 30 or have a hardship exemption. Michigan had 4 Catastrophic plans in the 2026 CMS file. They don't qualify for premium tax credits.

Will you sell my information?

No. It goes to one licensed Michigan advisor at Nexus and is never sold.

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