Trade work in New York, whether you are an electrician, plumber, carpenter, framer, landscaper, or general contractor, runs on jobs and invoices, not on a salary with benefits. Health coverage is one more thing that does not come with the work.
This guide looks at coverage the way tradespeople actually deal with it: between jobs, on your own schedule, and without an HR department.
Who this is for
Self-employed tradespeople and contractors across New York: the licensed trades, specialty contractors, and independent crews working without a company plan.
Common situations in the trades
- Moving between jobs with income that comes in bursts.
- A busy season and a slow season in the same year.
- Running a small crew with no group coverage for yourself.
- Leaving a union or company role and losing the plan that came with it.
Where to start in New York
You arrange coverage yourself through NY State of Health. The New York DFS hub explains coverage, and the Healthy NY program is aimed at working people and small businesses. Because trade income comes in bursts, our guide on how self-employed income works is a useful read.
Official New York resources to start with
These official New York resources are the place to start for the facts.
- NY State of Health Marketplace: New York's official marketplace to shop and compare individual and family coverage.
- NY State of Health: Individuals and Families: The part of the state marketplace built for individuals and families.
- NY DFS: Healthcare in New York: The state Department of Financial Services consumer hub for health coverage.
- NY DFS: Healthy NY Program: A program aimed at working people and small businesses in New York.
- Your Rights as a Health Insurance Consumer: Plain guidance on your protections under New York law.
- NY DFS Health Insurance Consumer FAQ: Common New York health insurance questions, answered.
What to gather before you ask for help
A short list makes any conversation faster and more useful. Before you reach out, it helps to have these on hand:
- Your ZIP code and county in New York
- Your household size and an estimate of annual household income
- Your current coverage status, and whether any coverage is ending soon
- Whether you need coverage for just yourself or for a family
- Your work status, such as 1099, freelance, consulting, gig, or small business
- Any doctors, prescriptions, or coverage concerns you want to keep in mind
For a fuller walk-through, see our guide on what to gather before talking to a licensed professional.
Where licensed help fits
You can do a lot on your own using the official New York resources above. When the details get specific, such as how your income is counted or which option fits your situation, that is when talking to a licensed person helps. Income that comes in bursts is worth walking through with a licensed person. You can also use NY State of Health or read the state consumer FAQ to check the facts yourself first.
Check your coverage options when you are ready, with no pressure and no cost to start.
A note on how this works
This page is for general information only. It does not promise eligibility, pricing, subsidies, plan availability, enrollment, or coverage. Health insurance options depend on your personal situation, location, income, household, and available plans. If you request help, your information may be routed to a licensed person who can review your situation and explain what options may be available.