Molli vs. the ACA Marketplace: which is right for the self-employed in 2026?
If you're self-employed, the math changed this year. The enhanced premium subsidies that kept ACA Marketplace costs down during the pandemic expired on December 31, 2025, so a lot of freelancers and 1099 workers are paying noticeably more in 2026. That has plenty of people asking a fair question: is the ACA Marketplace still the best option, or is there something better out there?
Here's an honest look at the ACA Marketplace and Molli, who each one suits, and how to decide.
Quick comparison
| ACA Marketplace | Molli | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Everyone | 1099 / self-employed individuals and families |
| Network | Varies by plan and insurer | Nationwide PPO access to leading health systems |
| Pricing | Premiums vary; subsidies income-based | Flat-rate, transparent; save up to 30% vs. ACA marketplace plans¹ |
| Primary care and generics | Varies by plan | $0 virtual primary care and generic prescriptions (via Vitable) |
| Preventive care | Covered 100% before deductible | Covered 100% before deductible |
| Income-based subsidies | Yes (if you qualify) | No. Molli is sold off the ACA marketplace, so ACA subsidies don't apply |
| Portability if you take a W-2 job | Re-enroll or change plans | Plan built to move with you between 1099 and W-2 |
When the ACA Marketplace is the better choice
- If you qualify for meaningful subsidies. Even after the 2025 changes, income-based subsidies can still make a Marketplace Silver plan the lowest-cost option for some households, and Silver is the only tier that unlocks cost-sharing reductions.
- If you have a pre-existing condition and want a guaranteed ACA-qualified plan. Marketplace plans have to cover the 10 essential health benefits, and they can't deny you or charge you more for your health history.
- If you want every metal tier to pick from, Bronze through Platinum.
When Molli is worth a serious look
- If your subsidy shrank or disappeared in 2026 and your Marketplace premium jumped. Molli's whole pitch is transparent, flat-rate pricing, save up to 30% compared with ACA marketplace plans¹, without the subsidy guessing game.
- If you want a big-name national network. Molli gives you nationwide PPO access to systems like Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, Stanford, and Cedars-Sinai.
- If you want $0 everyday care. Virtual primary care and generic prescriptions are $0 through Vitable, so routine care doesn't nickel-and-dime you.
- If your work situation changes a lot. Molli is built to stay with you when you move between 1099 and W-2 work, instead of forcing a mid-year scramble.
How to decide in three steps
- First, get your real 2026 Marketplace number. Check healthcare.gov or your state exchange for your actual premium after any subsidy, not last year's price.
- Second, get a Molli quote and compare total expected cost, meaning the premium plus the typical out-of-pocket for the care you actually use.
- Third, check your doctors. Confirm the providers you want are in-network on each option before you choose.
FAQ
- Did ACA subsidies really go away in 2026?
- The enhanced subsidies from the pandemic era expired at the end of 2025. Income-based subsidies still exist, but many self-employed people saw their net premiums rise in 2026 as the enhanced amounts went away.
- Is Molli health insurance?
- Yes. Molli is an ACA-compliant major medical health plan built for 1099 and self-employed people, running on nationwide PPO networks. Because it's sold off the ACA marketplace, you can enroll any time of year, but ACA premium subsidies don't apply to it.
- Can I keep my current doctor with Molli?
- Molli gives you nationwide PPO access. Look up your specific doctor in Molli's provider search to be sure.
- Is Molli cheaper than an ACA plan?
- Molli advertises savings of up to 30% compared with ACA marketplace plans¹. Whether it's cheaper for you comes down to your subsidy eligibility and the care you use, so compare your real numbers both ways.
¹ Savings vary by location, age, and plan selection. Based on comparison of Molli Pro plan rates to ACA Silver benchmark premiums.