Leaving your contractor's group insurance in Utah doesn't mean losing access to a nationwide PPO. For electricians working along the Wasatch Front between Lehi and Ogden, here's how to move into your own plan without interrupting coverage.
Hi, I'm Sam. Health insurance is the entire focus of my business, and I'm licensed in Utah. There's no office visit involved because we handle everything by phone.
Anyone driving I-15 between Lehi and Provo has seen years of construction. New offices, data facilities, apartments and residential developments keep appearing as employment grows. You'll find similar activity farther north through Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties. With that much demand, journeymen and master electricians often decide to start pulling permits themselves. The problem is that their contractor's health insurance doesn't follow them into the new business. That part requires planning.
You don't have to surrender nationwide PPO access just because you're leaving a contractor's PPO plan. I can help you arrange one in Utah.
You won't find that PPO on HealthCare.gov. Utah offers 57 individual medical plans for 2026 through 6 insurers, consisting of 37 HMOs and 20 EPOs. Utah County alone has 43 plans from 5 insurers, but not one PPO. HMOs and EPOs generally leave you paying for nonemergency visits outside their provider networks. A PPO contributes toward out-of-network treatment, although your portion costs more, and it doesn't require referrals. Private plans that evaluate your medical history can provide nationwide PPO access, with premiums based on that health review.
Losing your employer's health insurance is a qualifying event, so you ordinarily have 60 days after the loss to enroll in a marketplace plan. That applies throughout the year, not just during fall enrollment. If COBRA is available, think carefully before electing it. Canceling COBRA voluntarily because you find another option won't restart your enrollment window. Allowing COBRA to expire will.
Medical underwriting isn't instant. Submit your application a few weeks before you leave the contractor so there's time for review.
Maybe this describes your situation exactly. Your family doesn't have ongoing medical conditions, you're familiar with PPO coverage, and being restricted to one provider network doesn't appeal to you.
In that case, I'd start by considering a private nationwide PPO. The insurer asks about your household's medical history and may approve the application, deny it, or accept it while excluding one previous condition. Applicants with favorable health histories may receive premiums below the marketplace's full prices. Since every policy has its own benefits and limitations, we'll review those carefully before the coverage takes effect.
Next step: Phone me three or four weeks ahead of your departure. That gives us time to arrange a PPO that starts when your employer's insurance ends.
When you first open your shop, profits may be lower than your old wages. For marketplace eligibility, income means your business revenue after expenses like the van, electrical supplies, tools, licensing, insurance and fuel. If your household qualifies for the federal premium tax credit, an HMO or EPO from the marketplace will probably be less expensive than private coverage, because only marketplace plans can use that credit. Utah County has numerous choices, so we'll compare their networks and find one that includes your physicians.
A slow first year doesn't necessarily leave you without help. Utah expanded Medicaid to adults whose household income is no more than 138% of the poverty level, providing coverage while your business develops.
Next step: Share a realistic estimate of your first-year earnings, and I'll explain which coverage route fits your household.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Employer group insurance typically ends when employment does. Losing that plan usually creates a 60-day special enrollment opportunity for marketplace coverage, no matter when during the year it happens.
Not on HealthCare.gov. Utah's marketplace medical choices for 2026 are all HMOs or EPOs. I can help a healthy electrician obtain a private nationwide PPO instead.
Review the alternatives before deciding. If you choose to end COBRA early, that voluntary cancellation won't trigger another enrollment period.
Because Utah adopted Medicaid expansion, adults may be eligible when household income is at or below 138% of the poverty level.
Give me the date your employer's plan ends, your county and the family members who need insurance. With that information, I'll compare prices and explain how to transition without a coverage gap, including which choice I'd recommend.
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