Franklin & Nashville, Tennessee

Health Insurance for Tennessee Families, Self-Employed Professionals, and Retirees

Tennessee ACA premiums increased an average of 37.5% in 2026 — and additional increases are proposed for 2027.* If you are paying full price or looking for better options, there is a better way. Private PPO plans are available now, year-round, with no referrals and no network restrictions.

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Michael R. Fairbanks · Licensed Insurance Producer · Franklin, TN · NPN: 18820797
37.5% Tennessee ACA average premium increase in 2026*
$1,300 Monthly savings for one local family
19 States licensed
Since 2018 Helping Tennessee families

Tennessee ACA premiums are projected to rise 38% in 2027. If you are currently on the Marketplace and paying full price, your monthly cost is about to jump significantly. Private PPO plans are not subject to these increases and may be a strong alternative if you and your family are healthy.

Who I Help in Tennessee

Most of my Tennessee clients fall into one of four situations. If any of these sound familiar, there is a good chance you have better options than what you currently have.

Just went self-employed

Leaving a W-2 job is a qualifying life event. You do not have to wait for open enrollment. Private PPO plans are available now and often cost far less than COBRA or full-price ACA plans.

Employer plan too expensive to add your family

Adding a spouse and kids to an employer group plan can run $800 or more per month. In many cases a private plan for your family costs significantly less with better coverage.

Retiring early and make too much for ACA subsidies

If your income is above the subsidy threshold, you are paying full retail for an ACA plan. For healthy early retirees, a private PPO is often 30 to 50 percent cheaper with a stronger network.

Just moved to Tennessee

Moving to a new state is a qualifying life event. Whether you moved to Franklin, Nashville, or anywhere else in Tennessee, you can enroll in a new plan now without waiting for open enrollment.

Real Example — Franklin, TN Family

My own family saved $1,300 a month switching from ACA to a private PPO.

As a family of 4 in Tennessee, we were looking at $1,900 a month for a Bronze level ACA plan. Bronze is the lowest tier. High deductible, limited network, and still almost two thousand dollars a month.

Because my family is healthy, we qualified for a private PPO plan instead. Lower deductible, better network access, and a significantly lower premium.

$1,900 ACA Bronze monthly premium
$600 Private PPO monthly premium
$15,600 Annual savings

Individual results vary based on age, health history, and plan selection. This is a real example from my own family.

Why Private PPO Plans Work Well in Tennessee

No referrals. No network restrictions.

The plans I offer use the UHC Choice Plus PPO network — one of the largest in Tennessee. Vanderbilt, TriStar, Saint Thomas, and most major Nashville and Franklin area providers are in-network. You can see any specialist without a referral.

Available year-round — no open enrollment required

Private PPO plans do not follow ACA open enrollment schedules. If you are self-employed, just moved, or recently left a job, you can get covered now. I can usually have a plan in place within a few days of application.

Premiums are not tied to ACA rate increases

Tennessee ACA premiums increased an average of 37.5% in 2026 — and additional increases are proposed for 2027.* Private PPO plans are medically underwritten and priced independently of ACA rates. For healthy individuals and families, this is a significant long-term advantage.

I verify your doctors before you enroll

Before any client in the Franklin or Nashville area enrolls, I personally verify that their specific doctors and specialists are in-network. No surprises after the fact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Self-employed Tennesseans have three main options: ACA Marketplace plans, COBRA from a previous employer, or private PPO plans available year-round. For healthy individuals who do not qualify for ACA subsidies, private PPO plans often cost significantly less and offer more flexible networks.

Tennessee ACA Marketplace premiums increased an average of 37.5% in 2026, with additional increases proposed for 2027.* For families paying full price without subsidies, this is a significant jump. Private PPO plans are not subject to ACA rate increases and may offer substantial savings for healthy Tennessee families.

Yes. Private PPO health insurance plans are available year-round in Tennessee and do not follow ACA open enrollment schedules. If you recently became self-employed, moved to Tennessee, or need coverage now, a private plan may be available to you immediately.

If your income exceeds the ACA subsidy threshold, you are paying full retail price for a Marketplace plan. For healthy individuals and families in this situation, private PPO plans in Tennessee are often 30 to 50 percent less expensive than unsubsidized ACA plans, with comparable or stronger coverage.

Yes. Michael R. Fairbanks of Fairbanks Family Insurance Co. is based in Franklin, TN and specializes in private PPO health insurance for self-employed individuals, families, 1099 contractors, and retirees in the Nashville and Williamson County area. Free consultations available by phone or video.

Let's Find Out If You Can Do Better

15 minutes. I'll run your actual numbers and tell you honestly whether a private plan makes sense for your situation — or if what you have is already your best option.

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*Rate increase source: Tennessee 2026 ACA individual market final approved rate filings, as reported by ACA Signups (acasignups.net) and the federal rate review database (RateReview.HealthCare.gov). The 37.5% figure represents the weighted average finalized premium increase across Tennessee ACA Marketplace insurers for plan year 2026. 2027 rate filings are preliminary and subject to change pending state regulatory approval. Individual premium changes vary by carrier, plan, and enrollee. This figure applies to unsubsidized premiums only — enrollees receiving ACA subsidies experienced different net cost changes.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Premium examples are based on real client situations and individual results vary based on age, health history, zip code, and plan selection. Tennessee ACA premium projections are based on publicly available rate filings. Michael R. Fairbanks (NPN: 18820797) is a licensed insurance producer in Tennessee and 18 other states. This website does not constitute an offer to sell insurance in any state where Michael R. Fairbanks is not properly licensed.