Recap of Collective’s October 14, 2026 webinar. Marissa Achanzar, Strategic Content & Education Lead at Collective, hosted alongside Allison (Allie) Scopinich, Lead Plan Advisor at Solo Health, and Clay Moore of Solo Health. The session covered how open enrollment generally works, how Solo Health’s self-funded plan is structured, how it fits inside Collective, and when premiums may be tax deductible. Attendees sent in 60 questions, so we grouped the most common ones into one FAQ below.
What the webinar covered
- What open enrollment is, and what the marketplace looks like heading into 2027
- Health insurance terms worth knowing before you compare plans
- How Solo Health’s plan works, including a network option planned for 2027
- How Solo Health works inside Collective
- When self-employed health insurance may become a tax deduction
What open enrollment means for solopreneurs
Presented by Allison Scopinich, Solo Health
Open enrollment is a set window to choose a health plan for the year ahead. If you work a W-2 job, your employer typically sets it. If you shop the ACA marketplace, HealthCare.gov or your state sets it. On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 runs from November 1 to January 15, and December 15 is the deadline for coverage starting January 1. State marketplaces may set different dates. Outside that window, you generally need a qualifying life event to enroll.
Meanwhile, marketplace costs have been rising. According to KFF data shared in the session, the median proposed 2027 premium increase is about 15%, though individual changes vary widely. In addition, only about 10.5% of marketplace plans are PPOs. That said, the marketplace is often a strong option if you qualify for premium tax credits or have ongoing health needs.
Health insurance terms to know before you compare plans
Presented by Allison Scopinich, Solo Health
- Deductible: what you typically pay before the plan starts paying for covered services. A lower deductible usually means a higher premium.
- Coinsurance: the share you may still pay after meeting your deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you’d generally pay for covered services in a year.
- HSA: a health savings account for setting aside pre-tax money for qualified medical expenses, available with HSA-eligible plans.
- Lifetime limit: a cap on what an insurer pays over your lifetime. Major medical plans generally don’t have one.
- HMO, PPO, and EPO: an HMO usually requires referrals and has no out-of-network benefits. A PPO typically skips referrals and includes out-of-network benefits. An EPO falls in between.
How Solo Health’s plan works
Presented by Allison Scopinich and Clay Moore, Solo Health
According to Solo Health, its plan is a self-funded major medical plan that you set up through your business, a model many large employers use. Here’s how Solo describes its key features:
- Deductible equals out-of-pocket maximum, so once you meet it, the plan generally pays for covered in-network services in full.
- Nationwide PPO network, with no referrals needed for specialists.
- Preventive care covered at no cost under ACA guidelines.
- Flexible enrollment, so you can typically join any month, with coverage starting the first of the following month.
- Business-based eligibility, generally requiring an EIN and a brief health questionnaire, whether you’re a sole proprietor, single-member LLC, or S Corp.
Behind the plan, Solo works with partners for claims administration, pharmacy benefits, virtual care, and its network. Currently, that network is PHCS, and Solo plans to offer a UnitedHealthcare network option for 2027.
How Solo Health works inside Collective
Presented by Marissa Achanzar, Collective, with Clay Moore, Solo Health
Collective members can find Solo Health in the Insurance tab of their dashboard. From there, you answer a few questions, see your rates, and choose a deductible. Because your books already live in Collective, your premiums can connect to your bookkeeping, payroll, and tax reporting. Members who enroll also receive a $100 annual wellness credit.
When self-employed health insurance may be tax deductible
Presented by Marissa Achanzar, Collective
Having a policy and deducting it are two different things. Generally, the IRS looks at four conditions:
- Your business shows a profit. The deduction typically can’t exceed what the business earned.
- The plan is established under your business. S Corp owners generally need the premium reported on their W-2.
- No subsidized employer coverage is available. This usually applies to plans available to you or your spouse, whether or not you enroll.
- It covers eligible people. Premiums for you, your spouse, dependents, and children under 27 may count.
Your business structure changes where the deduction typically shows up:
| Single-member LLC | LLC with S Corp election | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it generally lands | Schedule 1 of Form 1040 | W-2 wages, then Schedule 1 of Form 1040 |
| Typical effect | May lower income tax; self-employment tax generally still applies | May lower income tax; the premium is generally excluded from payroll tax |
For more detail, see IRS Form 7206 and our July 30 health insurance recap.
Live Q&A: your most common questions, answered
Many questions came up more than once, so we combined them below, including ones we didn’t reach live. Answers about Solo Health’s plan reflect how Solo Health describes it; plan documents govern your actual coverage.
Do I need to be a Collective member to get Solo Health?
Generally, no. Solo Health is available on its own. However, joining through Collective keeps your plan in the same dashboard as your books and taxes and includes the wellness credit. Members can get a quote in the Insurance tab, and anyone can start at Collective Solo Health or book a 1:1 call with the Solo Health team.
How much does Solo Health cost?
Rates typically depend on age, zip code, and the dependents you add, rather than income. Because of that, cost varies from person to person, so there’s no single ballpark. When you enter your details, you’ll generally see a premium for each deductible option.
Is Solo Health worth it if my marketplace plan costs less?
It depends on what the premium covers. For example, a plan with a high out-of-pocket maximum may matter little in a quiet year but a lot in a year with surgery. On the other hand, if you receive premium tax credits, the marketplace may cost less. Solo’s team offers side-by-side comparisons, including for people who are currently uninsured.
Which doctors and networks can I use?
Solo currently uses the PHCS network, and plans to add a UnitedHealthcare option for 2027. To check your doctors, look for MultiPlan PHCS on their accepted insurance list or use Solo’s provider search. Solo doesn’t offer HMO plans, so HMO networks like Kaiser generally aren’t available.
Who is typically a good fit for Solo Health?
Self-employed people with an EIN who pass the health questionnaire are generally eligible, with no minimum income. Unlike marketplace plans, approval depends on the questionnaire. If you may qualify for meaningful premium tax credits or Medicaid, compare those options first. For questions about a specific condition, book a private 1:1 call.
What does Solo Health typically cover?
As major medical coverage, Solo generally covers emergency, hospital, mental health, and preventive care. Most services, including mental health and chiropractic, are covered after the deductible. Dental and vision are available as separate add-ons. Emergency care abroad may be reimbursed after the deductible. To check a specific medication, ask Solo’s team before enrolling.
Can I add my family or employees?
Generally, yes. You can typically add a spouse, children, and other dependents. In addition, Solo offers small group plans for businesses with employees; email [email protected] for details.
Is Solo Health HSA-eligible?
According to Solo, two of its three deductible options are HSA-eligible. With an HSA-eligible plan, you can generally contribute pre-tax money up to the IRS annual limit. The highest-deductible option is above the IRS out-of-pocket cap for HSA-eligible plans. See IRS Publication 969 for current limits.
Can Solo Health be my primary coverage?
Generally, yes. Solo describes its plan as primary major medical coverage, not supplemental. Solo also issues Form 1095-B to members, which may help show coverage for state mandates like California’s. It typically can’t sit alongside Medicare or Medicaid, so check with Solo if that applies to you.
How should I pay for health insurance so it may be deductible?
Paying premiums from your business bank account generally keeps a clear record on your books. From there, your structure typically decides where the deduction lands. If your spouse’s employer offers coverage, the IRS usually looks at whether you were eligible for a subsidized plan, not whether you enrolled. Because these rules depend on your details, confirm with a tax professional.
Get covered, along with the rest of your back office
Collective brings business setup, bookkeeping, payroll, tax filing, business insurance, and health coverage through Solo Health into one dashboard. Already a member? Open the Insurance tab to see your options.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or medical advice.
