Because the enhanced ACA subsidies that kept Marketplace premiums low are set to expire at the end of 2025, and new laws (like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) have cut federal funding for both ACA and Medicaid programs.

That means millions will lose financial assistance — and unsubsidized plans will see average premium increases of 114% or more. Safe Shield’s PPO and Short-Term Medical plans can lock in your rate for 6–12 months, helping you avoid these spikes entirely.

Starting in 2026:

✔ You must manually re-verify income and eligibility to keep subsidies.

✔ Automatic re-enrollment is ending. If you don’t log in and confirm details, you’ll lose your coverage.

✔ Low-income Special Enrollment Periods are gone, meaning you can’t enroll mid-year anymore.

✔ Repayment limits were eliminated, so if you underreport your income, you’ll owe every dollar of subsidy back at tax time.

Safe Shield helps you sidestep those risks with stable, private PPO options that don’t rely on government income checks.

ACA (Marketplace) plans are one-size-fits-all, loaded with mandated benefits that drive up costs (like maternity and pediatric dental).

Private PPO or STM plans are customizable, letting you choose only what you need — often at 30–60% lower monthly costs — while still keeping nationwide network access and renewability options up to age 65.

If you don’t actively verify your information before January 15th, you could lose your ACA plan or pay full unsubsidized premiums — often 2–3x higher.

Our advisors can help you enroll in private coverage before that happens, protecting your gap-free access to care.

If you are:

➡ Under 65 years old

➡ Not eligible for Medicare or employer-sponsored coverage

➡ A U.S. resident or citizen

Then you likely qualify for an STM or PPO plan. These are ideal for:

✅ Families who make too much for ACA subsidies

✅ Self-employed workers or contractors

✅ Healthy adults who rarely use coverage

✅ People losing Medicaid or COBRA

✅ YES.

Unlike ACA marketplace plans, private health insurance options are available year-round — no qualifying event required. That means you don’t have to wait for the government’s schedule to get the protection you need. You can enroll today and start your coverage as soon as tomorrow.

🚫 No.

These are private market health plans, not part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. They often provide greater flexibility, wider provider access, and lower monthly costs — especially for healthy individuals, families, and self-employed professionals who don’t qualify for ACA subsidies.

✅ Yes.

All of our plans offer month-to-month flexibility, so you're never locked into a long-term contract. You can change or cancel your plan at any time without penalties — giving you total control over your health coverage and your budget.

✅ In many cases, yes.

Because our plans use nationwide PPO networks, there’s a good chance your current doctor is already in-network. That means you can keep the care team you trust — and still enjoy better coverage at a lower monthly cost. Our advisors will help you check provider availability during your consultation.

❌ No. Those aren’t real PPOs. Our plans are private PPOs with real coverage.

Yes. SSHA only works with A-rated, licensed carriers and nationwide PPO networks like FirstHealth and Claritev.

Every plan is compliant with federal and state insurance laws — and every advisor you speak with is licensed and certified.

Most private PPO or STM plans can start as soon as 24 hours after approval — no waiting for open enrollment.

Easy. You can:

→ Take our 2-minute survey to instantly see your plan options, or

→ Schedule a free call with a licensed Safe Shield advisor for expert, pressure-free guidance.

👉 Start My Free Plan Check →