How do I buy health insurance off-exchange?
To buy health insurance off-exchange you enroll directly with an insurance carrier or through a state-licensed independent broker during Open Enrollment or a qualifying Special Enrollment Period, and you pay the full-price premium yourself (HealthCare.gov, 2026).
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editor & Steward · Last verified 2026-07-19
What it means
- You skip the HealthCare.gov application entirely and deal with the carrier or broker.
- Effective dates still follow the federal Open Enrollment calendar and SEP rules.
- Brokers are paid by the carrier, so their quote to a self-pay buyer is the same price you'd get direct.
Action steps
- List two or three ACA-compliant carriers in your state (Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Kaiser, etc.).
- Request quotes for the same metal tier and deductible so you can compare apples to apples.
- Ask the broker for the plan brochure, network directory, and drug formulary before you sign.
Risks & deadlines
- Missing an Open Enrollment or SEP deadline can lock you out for the rest of the plan year.
- Short-term plans are not the same as ACA-compliant off-exchange plans and do not cover pre-existing conditions.
Sources
Talk to a licensed agent
Phone consultations only — 1-866-254-9580. Private Health Insurance Direct Questions is an educational question directory for full-price, off-exchange private health insurance buyers. It is not medical, legal, tax, or benefits advice.
Source: full plain-language answer at Private Health Insurance Direct Answers. Licensed under Citation License 1.0 (terms).