For many REALTORS®, being an independent contractor provides flexibility and opportunity, but it can also make it challenging to access affordable, reliable health insurance.
Tennessee REALTORS® is working alongside the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to help change that.
This week, Tennessee REALTORS® CEO Angela Shields joined NAR leaders and representatives from other state REALTOR® associations in Washington, D.C., for meetings with officials from the White House, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The discussions focused on expanding affordable health coverage options for self-employed Americans, including real estate professionals.
Why This Matters for REALTORS®
Unlike employees of many traditional businesses, most REALTORS® are self-employed and do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. That can leave professionals and their families navigating the individual insurance market while managing an income that can fluctuate throughout the year.
According to NAR’s 2026 Health Insurance Survey, 14% of REALTORS® are uninsured. Among those without insurance:
- 91% cited premium costs as a reason they lack coverage.
- 58% pointed to high deductibles and copays.
- 35% reported difficulty maintaining coverage because of fluctuations in real estate income.
Those numbers underscore why expanding health coverage options continues to be an important advocacy priority for the REALTOR® organization.
A Potential Path Through Association Health Plans
The U.S. Department of Labor is currently developing a proposed rule that could revisit the federal definition of an “employer” and potentially create a pathway for self-employed individuals to participate in Association Health Plans (AHPs).
AHPs could allow eligible self-employed professionals to access group health coverage through trade associations, potentially providing another option alongside coverage available through the Affordable Care Act marketplace and other existing sources.
NAR is urging federal policymakers to ensure that any new rule includes real estate professionals and other self-employed Americans while establishing a framework that is workable, durable and legally defensible.
The proposed rule is currently expected to be released in November.
Tennessee REALTORS® Has a Seat at the Table
For Tennessee REALTORS®, this week’s meetings are the latest chapter in a years-long effort to advocate for greater health insurance options for independent contractors.
CEO Angela Shields has previously testified before Congress in support of expanding access to Association Health Plans for real estate professionals, bringing the experiences and challenges facing REALTORS® directly to federal policymakers.
Her participation in this week’s discussions ensures Tennessee REALTORS® continue to have a voice as federal officials consider policies that could directly affect our members and their families.
“Access to affordable health coverage is a real concern for many self-employed professionals, including REALTORS® across Tennessee,” Shields said. “We’re proud to work alongside NAR to make sure the voices of our members are represented as policymakers consider solutions that could give independent contractors more choices for themselves and their families.”
NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn emphasized that Association Health Plans are intended to provide an additional choice—not replace existing coverage options.
“The Affordable Care Act works well for many of our members, and we strongly support protections for people with pre-existing conditions. But for others, premiums, deductibles, and copays remain a barrier to coverage. AHPs can complement existing coverage options—not replace them—by providing another choice for self-employed professionals who remain uninsured because the cost of coverage is simply out of reach.”
What’s Next?
The Department of Labor’s proposed rule is expected in November. Once released, it will provide greater clarity on whether—and under what circumstances—self-employed individuals could participate in Association Health Plans.
Tennessee REALTORS® will continue working with NAR and policymakers to advocate for solutions that recognize the unique needs of independent contractors and expand access to affordable, stable, and high-quality health coverage.
This is advocacy that goes beyond the transaction. It’s about supporting the professionals who make Tennessee’s real estate industry possible—and ensuring REALTORS® have a voice when decisions affecting their businesses and families are being made.
