Is working with an independent health insurance agent free?

Yes. Licensed agents are paid a commission by the insurance carrier when you enroll, so your premium is identical whether you use an agent or enroll directly. You get professional comparison and year-round service at no extra cost.

Can I enroll in health insurance outside of Open Enrollment?

Often yes. Qualifying life events such as losing job-based coverage, moving, marriage, or a new baby open a Special Enrollment Period, usually lasting 60 days. Private plans plus dental, vision, supplemental, and short-term coverage enroll year-round.

When is Open Enrollment for 2027 Marketplace coverage?

Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026 in most states. End dates vary by state, and federal rules around the closing date are still being litigated — enrolling early in the window is the safe move.

Independent agency · Sarasota, FL · Licensed in 40+ states

Health insurance, guided by a person — not a call center.

Q: Do I qualify for a subsidy (premium tax credit) in 2026?

For 2026, the enhanced ACA subsidies expired and the original rules returned, including the 400% federal-poverty-level cutoff. Households under roughly $62,600 for one person or $128,600 for a family of four may qualify; above those amounts no Marketplace credit is available for 2026. Eligibility is determined only by the Marketplace — a licensed agent can run your exact numbers for free.

CJS Insurance Solutions is an independent agency. We compare plans across the carriers in your state — Marketplace and private — explain the trade-offs in plain English, and stay your agent all year. Our help is always free.

Compare Coverage Options Talk to a Licensed Agent

Free, no-obligation guidance
Same price as going direct
Year-round service after you enroll

Christopher Shannahan

Licensed Health Insurance Agent · NPN 19017266

“The marketplace is overwhelming and most ‘help’ is a sales pitch. I work for you, not a carrier — my job is the right plan at the best price, and picking up the phone when you need me.”

40+States licensed

50+Carrier options

2,000+Families helped

365Days of service

Book a Free Consultation

Licensed & NIPR-verifiable — NPN 19017266
Same-day responses in season
Independent — we work for you, not a carrier
$0 fees — carriers pay us, never you

Start Here

What brings you in today?

Pick the path that fits your situation — each one explains your options in plain English and ends with a licensed agent, not a phone tree.

ACA Marketplace Plans

Comprehensive major medical with premium tax credits for eligible households. Pre-existing conditions covered.

Explore Marketplace

Private Health Insurance

Off-Marketplace coverage — including OneHealth, a private Cigna PPO — often stronger value above the subsidy cliff.

Explore Private Plans

Short-Term Medical

Temporary bridge coverage for job changes, waiting periods, and missed enrollment windows.

See If It Fits

Dental & Vision

Standalone plans that enroll year-round — including true PPO dental options.

See Plans

Supplemental Coverage

Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans that pay cash benefits when life happens.

Add Protection

Medicare Guidance

Turning 65 or newly eligible? Understand what changes and get pointed in the right direction.

Get Oriented

I'm Already a Client

ID cards, billing, claims, finding a doctor — step-by-step help, or reach your agent directly.

Help Center

I'm an Agent

Licensed producers: top contracts, real mentorship, and a back-office that actually works.

Join CJS

2026 Subsidy Rules

The subsidy rules changed for 2026. Check where you stand.

The enhanced ACA subsidies expired December 31, 2025. For 2026, premium tax credits follow the original ACA schedule — including the return of the 400% “subsidy cliff.” This checker uses the official IRS 2026 percentages.

2026 Subsidy Eligibility Checker

IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25

Educational estimate only — not an eligibility determination, quote, or guarantee. Figures use the 2026 Applicable Percentage Table (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25) and the 2025 federal poverty guidelines that apply to 2026 coverage ($15,650 for one person + $5,500 per additional person, 48 contiguous states; Alaska and Hawaii differ). Your actual premium tax credit depends on the benchmark (second-lowest-cost Silver) premium for your age and county, verified income, and other household details, and is determined only by the Marketplace. A licensed agent will confirm your real numbers for free.

The Process

Covered in four simple steps

No jargon, no pressure, no cost — just a clear path from “I have no idea” to “I'm covered and I get it.”

We talk about your situation

A quick call or message — your household, doctors, prescriptions, and budget. Ten minutes is usually plenty.

We compare your real options

Marketplace and private, side by side, using official carrier and Marketplace data for your ZIP code — including any tax credits you qualify for.

You pick, we handle the rest

Enrollment, paperwork, effective dates, ID cards. You make the decision; we make it happen.

We stay your agent all year

Confusing bill? Claim issue? Renewal season? You call or text us directly — that's the job.

Why Families Choose CJS

Insurance shouldn't be confusing — or impersonal

Every carrier, both markets

We quote the Marketplace and the private market in your state — 50+ carrier options — so the comparison is complete, not convenient.

Every dollar you're entitled to

Tax credits, Cost-Sharing Reductions, HSA strategy, private-market pricing above the cliff — we structure it correctly and legally, and we show our math.

A direct line, not a queue

Sarasota-based, concierge-style service. When something goes sideways mid-year, you reach the agent who enrolled you — same day, in season.

40+States licensed

50+Carrier options

2,000+Families helped

$0Cost to you, ever

Meet Your Advisor

Hey, I'm Chris.

I'm a licensed health insurance agent based in Sarasota, Florida. I got into this business because I watched regular people get steamrolled by jargon, hold music, and “help” that was really a sales pitch — and I wanted to be the opposite of that.

As an independent agent, I work for you, not an insurance company. I compare every option in your state, tell you plainly what I'd pick in your shoes and why, and then stay reachable — renewals, claims, billing, the works. When I'm not doing that, you'll find me at the grill, at the gym, or out on the water. Sarasota's home, and I run this agency the way this town likes its business: personal.

Licensed in Florida and 40+ states — NPN 19017266
Independent — paid the same regardless of which plan you choose
Leads a team of licensed agents serving families nationwide

Book Time With Chris Email Chris

Christopher Shannahan, founder of CJS Insurance Solutions

Carrier Access

Compare plans from the names you know

A sample of the carriers we quote and service — availability varies by state and county.

AetnaAmbetterAnthemBlue Cross Blue ShieldCignaFlorida BlueHumanaMolinaOscar HealthUnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthOneNational GeneralAmeritasOneHealth (Cigna network)

Reputation

Don't take our word for it

Read real reviews from real families on independent platforms — and if we've helped you, a review helps the next family find honest guidance.

Reviews on Facebook Find Us on Yelp

Common Questions

Answers before you ask

Do I qualify for a subsidy (premium tax credit) in 2026?

For 2026, the enhanced subsidies expired and the original ACA rules returned — including the 400% federal-poverty-level cutoff, often called the subsidy cliff. As a rule of thumb, households under roughly $62,600 for one person or $128,600 for a family of four may qualify; above those amounts, no Marketplace credit is available for 2026. Try the 2026 subsidy checker above, then let a licensed agent pull your exact numbers — eligibility is determined only by the Marketplace.

Is your service really free? What's the catch?

There isn't one. Licensed agents are paid a commission by the insurance carrier when you enroll — your premium is identical whether you use us or go directly to healthcare.gov or a carrier. The difference is that you get a professional comparing every option and a person to call all year.

Can I enroll outside of Open Enrollment?

Often, yes. Qualifying life events — losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, and others — open a Special Enrollment Period, usually 60 days. Private plans like OneHealth, plus dental, vision, supplemental, and short-term coverage, enroll year-round. Not sure whether you qualify? Ask — it takes five minutes to check.

When is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment for 2027 Marketplace coverage begins November 1, 2026 in most states. End dates vary by state (mid-December to late January) and federal rules around the closing date are still being litigated — so don't cut it close. Enroll early in the window and lock in a January 1 start date.

Will I lose my doctors if I switch plans?

Not if we do it right. Before recommending any plan, we check that your doctors and prescriptions are in-network using the carrier's official directories. If the best-priced plan doesn't include your doctor, we show you the trade-offs so you decide with full information — no surprises.

What's the difference between you and healthcare.gov?

Same plans, same prices — plus a person. Healthcare.gov shows you a list and leaves you to figure it out. We compare every option (including private plans healthcare.gov doesn't show), explain what matters for your situation, handle enrollment, and stay with you all year. CJS is a private, independent agency, not the government Marketplace itself.

What's a deductible vs. an out-of-pocket maximum?

Your deductible is what you pay before the plan starts sharing costs. Your out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'd pay for covered, in-network care in a year — after that, the plan pays 100%. We help you pick a plan where both numbers make sense for how you actually use healthcare.

HMO vs. PPO — which do I want?

An HMO usually costs less but keeps you in a set network with referrals for specialists. A PPO gives you flexibility — any in-network doctor without a referral, and typically some out-of-network coverage. Neither is universally better; it depends on your doctors, travel, and budget. That's exactly the kind of trade-off we walk through with you.

Find the Right Plan

Tell us a little — we'll do the heavy lifting

Send this and a licensed agent gets to work on your options — and we'll point you straight to the right quote tool for your situation. Prefer to talk? Even better.

Same-day response during business hours
No spam, no list-selling, no pressure — see our Privacy Policy
Quotes from official carrier and Marketplace data

Call (941) 323-0041 Book a Consultation

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone *

ZIP code *

I'm interested in

Never include Social Security numbers, payment details, or medical records in this form — we'll collect anything sensitive through a secure channel if it's ever needed.

Got it — we're on it.

A licensed agent will reach out shortly. If a quote tool fits your request, it just opened in a new tab. Need us now? Call (941) 323-0041.

For Insurance Agents

Producers: build a real book with CJS

Top contracts, direct mentorship, and a producer portal that actually works — for agents serious about the daily grind. Already contracted? Sign in to your portal.

Learn About Joining Producer Portal Login