Before your shop opens, you may already be sorting donations, pricing finds, and steaming garments. If you run a resale or consignment shop, that quiet morning window can also be a practical time to make a plan for health coverage, especially when sales and income vary by season.

I’m Michael Peck. I’m a sole proprietor too, so I know what it’s like to make business decisions without an HR department or a predictable paycheck. When you reach out, you can talk with a real person who knows your name.

Michael Peck is a licensed insurance agent, not a legal or financial advisor. This article is educational and does not replace personalized advice.

Start with the calendar for 2027 coverage

Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage is scheduled for November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. If you want coverage to begin January 1, select a plan by December 15, 2026. Selections made from December 16 through January 15 generally start February 1. Confirm the dates that apply to your state and plan before enrolling.

Use the weeks before enrollment to gather your household information, estimate your income, and list any doctors or prescriptions you want to check against plan networks. You can also read our guide to Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment for a plain-language overview of when you may be able to enroll.

Make a workable income estimate for your shop

ACA premium tax credits are based on projected household income for the coverage year, not just what your shop earned last month. For a resale business, that estimate can be tricky: holiday sales may be strong, summer traffic may dip, and inventory purchases or business expenses can affect your net income.

Start with what you reasonably expect to earn for the full year. Review sales records, expenses, and any other household income, then update your estimate if business changes materially. You may qualify for premium tax credits that lower what you pay each month. If you receive advance credits, you generally need to file a tax return and reconcile them using Form 8962; changes in income during the year can affect the final calculation. For an explanation of the premium tax credit, see our ACA health plans guide.

Our guide to how ACA tax credits work for self-employed people can help you understand the income-estimate process. If your numbers are uncertain, Call Rachel at 512-850-6604 to talk through what information to gather.

Compare plans with The Big Three Filters

When you compare coverage, use these three questions to keep the details organized.

1. Tax History: If you use advance premium tax credits, you generally need to file a federal tax return and reconcile the credits you received. Keep track of income changes and tax documents, and ask a tax professional about your specific filing situation.
2. Pre-existing Conditions: ACA plans cover pre-existing conditions. That can matter if you have ongoing prescriptions, follow-up care, or a condition you want covered without medical underwriting.
3. The Subsidy Cliff: With enhanced subsidies expired and the original ACA rules back in effect, you may become ineligible for federal premium tax credits if your household income is above the applicable 400% of the Federal Poverty Level limit. Rough planning estimates sometimes cited, about $64,000 for an individual and $132,000 for a family, are not universal limits; the applicable amount depends on household size and other circumstances. Check your eligibility using your actual household details.

The important takeaway for a shop owner is to estimate carefully, but not to treat a seasonal forecast as a guarantee. A licensed agent can help you compare plan options, while a tax professional can advise you on tax treatment. Browse our ACA health plans to learn more about the coverage category.

Consider coverage beyond an ACA plan

ACA coverage is one option, but it may not be the right fit for every person or budget. Short Term Medical (STM) is not major medical and is medically underwritten. It may not cover pre-existing conditions or provide the same protections as an ACA plan, so check exclusions, limits, and eligibility closely.

Depending on the applicant, carrier, state, underwriting, policy design, network, and benefits, some applicants find STM costs less than ACA coverage when ACA does not fit. Some STM policies may use broad PPO networks, but network access, covered services, exclusions, duration, and benefits vary by carrier, state, and policy. Compare the actual policy, not just the monthly premium, and ask how it handles your doctors, prescriptions, and expected care.

You can also consider products that may help address specific financial or coverage gaps. These do not all replace comprehensive health insurance, and benefits depend on policy terms:

1. ACA: comprehensive individual and family coverage, with premium tax credits for eligible households.
2. Short Term Medical, medically underwritten coverage with varying terms and exclusions.
3. Accident, may pay set benefits for covered accidental injuries.
4. Hospital, may provide a fixed benefit for covered hospital stays.
5. Critical care, may pay a benefit following a covered serious illness.
6. Term life insurance, can help provide financial support to beneficiaries.
7. Dental: coverage for eligible dental services.
8. Vision: coverage or allowances for eligible vision services.

Each product has its own rules. Call Rachel at 512-850-6604 if you’d like help sorting out which options are relevant to your situation.

Think about your actual shop routine and care needs

Before choosing, write down the doctors, clinics, and prescriptions you rely on. Then check whether they are in-network and how the plan handles services you expect to use. A lower premium alone does not tell you what your deductible, copays, or out-of-pocket costs may be.

If you share a shop with a co-owner or employ staff, remember that your personal coverage and any business group coverage are separate decisions. The right approach depends on who needs coverage, how the business is structured, and what plans are available in your area.

Licensed agents and Marketplace Navigators: different kinds of help

Government-funded Marketplace Navigators and CMS assisters can help explain enrollment steps and assist with application paperwork. They generally do not recommend a specific plan or act as your insurance agent.

A licensed Health/Life Insurance Agent, such as Michael Peck, can discuss plan differences, make personalized recommendations based on your needs, and support you through enrollment and later questions. An agent can also help you consider options available in the state where you live. Michael is licensed in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia, as well as Texas, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Neither kind of support replaces tax or legal advice. The right choice depends on whether you mainly need enrollment assistance or want an agent to help compare and recommend coverage.

Give yourself a simple morning checklist

Before you unlock the front door, a few minutes with your notes can make enrollment easier. Gather your household details, review shop income and expenses, list your doctors and prescriptions, and mark the enrollment dates on your calendar. Then compare the full plan details, including networks, deductibles, exclusions, and coverage start dates.

You do not have to solve every insurance question in one sitting. A little preparation, and a person who can explain your options in everyday language, can help you make a more informed choice for the year ahead.

When you’re ready to compare affordable health plans for your shop and your family, you can call or text Rachel at 512-850-6604 or request a quote online. You’ll reach a real person who will walk you through the options for your situation and location, in plain language, at no pressure.

Or call us directly at 512-850-6604.

There are always options to explore. All you need to do is schedule an appointment with me and we will look at what is available for your situation.

Rachel at 512-850-6604

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Michael Peck is a licensed insurance agent, not a legal or financial advisor. Real Health Quote is an independent health insurance agency licensed in 15 states (TX, DE, FL, IN, KS, MS, MO, NC, SC, OH, OK, MI, TN, GA, VA). Products and availability vary by state. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency, the federal Marketplace, or Medicare. Health insurance regulations and plan details can change; always consult with a professional regarding your specific tax or legal situation.