If nobody hands you a benefits packet, start here.

Self-employed and independent contractors

When you work for yourself, you have to go find coverage on your own, and most of what turns up online is built to sell. Patrick starts with the questions that decide the answer.

• Does your income qualify you for Marketplace tax credits?
• Is your household healthy enough that a private plan is worth pricing?
• Which doctors and hospitals do you want to keep?
• What would a bad year cost you, on top of the monthly premium?

Small business owners

Many of Patrick's clients run small businesses, a lot of them in the trades: HVAC, plumbing, electrical. Some want coverage for themselves and their family. Some are thinking about the people who work for them. Either way, Patrick lays out what makes sense for a business your size, in plain English.

Families

Kids, a spouse, different ages and different health needs, all on one budget. Patrick looks at the whole household before he quotes anything, including which doctors each person needs to keep and what a bad year would cost the family.

Just lost job-based coverage

A layoff, a job change, or the day you finally go out on your own. According to Pennie, losing job-based coverage is a qualifying life event, which lets you enroll outside Open Enrollment through a Special Enrollment Period.

Do not wait on it. The window is limited, and the Marketplace asks for proof that your coverage ended. Patrick helps you get that paperwork in the format they will accept.