Are there non-ACA, non-employer plans? I keep seeing people talking about brokers- how does this work?
Backing up: when you say "non-ACA" you might mean
1) non-ACA compliant health insurance .. probably cheaper than ACA compliant plan, without any of the minimal protections and guarantees of coverage because of pre-existing conditions etc. This might not meet what the ACA considers minimal essential coverage, so you could have it, still be afoul of health insurance mandate, and possibly pay penalty
2) ACA compliant health insurance that you buy off the marketplace. You need to buy on the marketplace to get subsidies, but if you don't need or can't get subsidies, then nothing is limiting you to only shopping on the marketplace. Not sure what if any advantage there is to buying on or off the marketplace when you are looking at ACA compliant plans (i.e. probably expensive without subsidy)
Both are available, for example like here:
https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ (no endorsement or experience, just remember them being popular pre ACA).
So I think the answer is yes, but I'm not certain what one you mean (I find this confusing too, making my best guess hoping someone corrects me)
Not sure if either one is what you mean or helps..
Also, backing up, you are a nurse and you don't have healthcare? American health care system continues to surprise me.. :)