## Health plans

## Health plans to explore

How do you stay covered with health insurance if you own a business or do independent consulting or freelancing?

Follow these insurance guidelines to make sure you and your family have a health plan.



 

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### Plans for a sole proprietor

 

[Explore individual and family plans](/our-plans/individual-family-health-plans)

 

 



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### Plans if you have one or more employees who work for you

 

[Explore small group plans](/employers/small-group-health-plans)

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

## Choosing a plan

## How to choose between an individual or small group plan

 

### Individual and family plans

Individual and family plans can cover you alone or you and your family members.

An individual/family health insurance plan is the right option if you meet these circumstances:

- You are a sole proprietor, owner or partner of a small business **and**
- You do not have any eligible employees who work for you



 

 

 



### Small group plans

In order to qualify as a small group, a business needs to have at least one eligible employee, which does not include a sole proprietor, owner or partner.

Small group health insurance is the right option if you meet various eligibility requirements, such as:

- Your business is headquartered and actively engaged in business in Minnesota
- You employ at least one eligible employee and fewer than 51 full-time equivalent employees (the employee must meet the definition of a common law employee or a bona fide partner)
- At least one eligible employee will be enrolled in the group plan
- You will offer coverage to all eligible employees who meet the plan requirements



 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

## Enrollment

## When to enroll in a self-employed plan

 

### Individual and family plans

You can enroll in individual and family insurance plans during the annual open enrollment period. However, if you became self-employed within 60 days of losing coverage due to job loss, you may qualify for a special enrollment.

[View individual and family plans](/our-plans/individual-family-health-plans "Individual & family health plans")

[Learn about special enrollment](/our-plans/individual-family-health-plans/special-enrollment-individual-and-family-plans "Special enrollment for individual and family plans")



 

 

 



### Small group plans

You can enroll in small group plans throughout the year.

[View small group plans](/employers/small-group-health-plans "Small group health plans")



 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

## Support

 

### What to consider when choosing a plan

The most important things to consider when choosing a health plan include:

- The provider and pharmacy networks
- Your anticipated medical needs
- Your prescriptions
- The plan costs

Advantages of small group plans include tax savings, as well as the ability to attract and retain employees.



 

[Learn how to choose a health plan](/understanding-health-insurance/how-choose-health-plan)

 

 



### Get help

If you have questions or need enrollment help, you have several options:

Call **1-844-731-0755**, TTY **711** to speak to a sales associate.

Contact your agent or [find an agent](https://agentfinder.bluecrossmn.com/#/)



 

[Connect with a Blue Cross Advisor](/our-plans/blue-cross-advisors)