Open Enrollment: An Important Moment for America's Self-Employed

Public Private Strategies • November 11, 2017

More than a million self-employed people have purchased insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

Despite the partisan bickering in Washington, D.C. over the future of health care, millions of Americans will soon be making decisions regarding their health insurance plans and coverage during the upcoming open enrollment season. This year, the open enrollment period at healthcare.gov is shorter than usual and only runs from November 1 through December 15, 2017. While politicians debate the Affordable Care Act (ACA), self-employed Americans and entrepreneurs should be focused on what the current law means for them and their family. Now is an important time to review current health care needs and insurance plans and evaluate any changes to prescription drug coverage or other necessary benefits unique to a particular situation.

With all the news about health care, it may be difficult for the American public and the small business community, including the growing 27 million self-employed entrepreneurs and micro-businesses, to decipher exactly what is happening with health care and available options. The most important thing to know right now is that you can still access health care plans on the individual marketplace. The bottom-line: now is the time to start thinking about your current plan and the potential health care options as open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplaces is just around the corner.

Before the ACA, the self-employed had limited options when it came to health insurance, but under the ACA, these entrepreneurs have better options for coverage, often at a more affordable price. A 2017 U.S. Treasury Department report showed one in five customers benefitting from the marketplace was a small business owner or a self-employed individual. As a self-employed small business or similar entity considering purchasing your health coverage this year through the Health Insurance Marketplace, it is important to have the necessary information.


Here are some of top things you need to know.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is now in full swing -- and closes on December 15. Because the enrollment period is much shorter, you must decide on a health care plan before the deadline. You cannot count on automatic enrollment of your current plan this year because automatic enrollment does not occur until after December 15 and could potentially lock you into an unwanted plan. Small business owners and entrepreneurs can go to healthcare.gov and shop for coverage or choose to work with a registered agent or broker. If you need in-person assistance in enrolling, free expert help is available by calling 1-800-318-2596 or online at http://localhelp.healthcare.gov.

Many of the current consumer protections will continue to apply as part of the coverage found on the Marketplace. For example, you can't be turned away because of a pre-existing condition or charged more because you are a women, and many plans will include provisions known as Essential Health Benefits, which cover things such as maternity care and other benefits that may be important for a particular circumstance.

For entrepreneurs who already have health insurance on the Marketplace, this may be your chance to shop for a better, more cost-effective plan. The options in your area may have changed this year, so don't assume the available plans are the same as last year. By just doing a little research, you may find a plan that is better fit for you and your family. You may even qualify for a tax credit to help afford coverage.

Through the implementation of the ACA, over 20 million Americans have been able to access health care insurance. America continues to be stronger today because of everyone has obtained critical coverage from the law. While it does need work to strengthen it, over a million self-employed individuals have now benefited from the freedom to choose the plan that is most convenient and inexpensive for them. The ACA provides access, flexibility and high-quality care that the American public and small business community deserve to have -- and the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance to allow you to focus on what matters -- growing your business.


WANTING MORE NEWS? SIGNUP TODAY

Contact Us

Rhett Buttle on Forbes Breaking News: This Is How Uncertainty From Trump's Tariffs Could Impact Small Businesses: CEO

April 8, 2025
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Forbes Breaking News to discuss the impacts that President Trump's tariff policies will have on small businesses. Watch the full interview here or below.

Rhett Buttle joins Rahel Solomon on CNN to talk trade policy

April 3, 2025
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Rahel Solomon on CNN to talk about trade policy and the impact of tariffs on small businesses. Watch the full interview here or below.

Rhett Buttle on Fox Live Now: What will a Trump economy look like?

December 13, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Fox Live Now to talk about the state of the economy and the outlook for 2024. Watch the full interview here or below.

Scripss News: Small business owners facing 'double whammy' amid Hurricane Helene cleanup

October 7, 2024
*This article was written by Scripps News Staff. President Joe Biden announced that the government will cover 100% of Hurricane Helene cleanup costs for the next several months to pay for the urgent work to clear the mud, remove downed trees and provide temporary housing. The federal support comes as residents in multiple Southeastern states are still struggling to return to normal following last week’s storm that killed over 200 people. Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg, a small business advocate and political strategist, said it is going to take a significant amount of time to finish the cleanup, no matter how hard the federal government works. Read the entire piece on Scripps News.

Readout: Business & Democracy Lunch in Phoenix

October 1, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month marks the anniversary of two pivotal pieces of legislation that are helping fuel a small business boom, the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past four years, there has been a historic growth of American entrepreneurship across the country, with over 18 million new business applications filed, each one an act of hope and optimism in our economic future. This small business boom is fueled by investments like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “As we mark the two-year anniversaries of the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the positive impact across the business landscape, and particularly for entrepreneurs, is unmistakable. The CHIPS & Science Act is fueling entrepreneurship opportunities by dedicating over $50 million to help develop new ideas and technologies to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and supply chain. “The Inflation Reduction Act has helped lower costs for workers and consumers, driving up demand for small businesses across the country. The healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act alone are saving millions Americans an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums. These investments have helped fuel America’s small business boom, including a record 18 million new small business applications filed over the past four years. “We have more work to do to address the issues that business owners have consistently said are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to expanding and streamlining contracting opportunities for small employers to strengthening and protecting American democracy . We remained committed to working with business leaders to address these challenges and ensure these investments are implemented effectively to grow economies and support communities all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle Founder & CEO, Public Private Strategies President, Public Private Strategies Institute Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com .

Rhett Buttle Joins LiveNOW from FOX to talk Night 3 of the DNC

August 21, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Buttle Joins LiveNOW from FOX to talk Night 2 of the DNC

August 20, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 2 of the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Buttle Joins Scripps News to Talk DNC Night 1

August 19, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss Night 1 of the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Buttle Joins Scripps News to Discuss What a Harris Presidency Could Mean For Small Business

August 15, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss what a Kamala Harris Presidency could mean for small businesses. Watch the interview below

As Small Business Boom Continues, Rhett Buttle Remarks on Two-Year Anniversary of CHIPS & Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act

August 9, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month marks the anniversary of two pivotal pieces of legislation that are helping fuel a small business boom, the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past four years, there has been a historic growth of American entrepreneurship across the country, with over 18 million new business applications filed, each one an act of hope and optimism in our economic future. This small business boom is fueled by investments like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “As we mark the two-year anniversaries of the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the positive impact across the business landscape, and particularly for entrepreneurs, is unmistakable. The CHIPS & Science Act is fueling entrepreneurship opportunities by dedicating over $50 million to help develop new ideas and technologies to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and supply chain. “The Inflation Reduction Act has helped lower costs for workers and consumers, driving up demand for small businesses across the country. The healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act alone are saving millions Americans an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums. These investments have helped fuel America’s small business boom, including a record 18 million new small business applications filed over the past four years. “We have more work to do to address the issues that business owners have consistently said are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to expanding and streamlining contracting opportunities for small employers to strengthening and protecting American democracy . We remained committed to working with business leaders to address these challenges and ensure these investments are implemented effectively to grow economies and support communities all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle Founder & CEO, Public Private Strategies President, Public Private Strategies Institute Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com .
More Posts