How the ACA Marketplace Supports Small Business Owners and the Self-Employed
Why 2025 May Be a Make-or-Break Year for Affordable Coverage
If you’re self-employed, own a small business, or work for one, your health insurance options likely come from the ACA Marketplace — and you're not alone. According to recent data from KFF, nearly half of all adults under 65 enrolled in individual market coverage are tied to small businesses, either as owners, employees, or entrepreneurs.
At Valora Benefits Group, we see this every day: real people building businesses, hustling as freelancers, or working for locally owned companies that don't offer health insurance. For them, the ACA Marketplace isn’t a backup plan — it's their main source of comprehensive coverage.
The Hidden Backbone of the Marketplace: Small Business America
48% of adults with individual market coverage are self-employed or employed by businesses with fewer than 25 employees
Only 16% of all U.S. adults under 65 fall into that category — meaning ACA enrollees are disproportionately connected to small businesses
Enhanced premium tax credits (enacted under ARPA and extended via the IRA) have more than doubled enrollment since 2020
What’s at Stake in 2025?
Right now, 92% of ACA enrollees receive a premium subsidy, making coverage more affordable for nearly everyone in the system. But if these enhanced tax credits expire at the end of 2025, we could see:
Out-of-pocket premiums rise by 75% on average
Loss of subsidy eligibility for those earning above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level
Increased gross premiums (projected 18% hike), impacting those without assistance and raising costs for the government
What You Can Do Now
If you're a small business owner, independent contractor, or work for a company that doesn’t offer benefits, don’t wait for last-minute changes.
Review your current plan with a licensed agent
Understand your subsidy eligibility before it possibly changes
Explore dental, vision, and travel add-ons to strengthen your benefits
Ask about alternative options like Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) or group plans for your business
Let Us Help You Navigate What’s Next
At Valora Benefits Group, we specialize in helping self-employed professionals and small business families make sense of the Marketplace. We’ll walk you through your options, explain how premium tax credits work, and help you prepare for whatever comes next — all at no cost to you.
