I have a 1099-misc for a health care payment (box 6). Turbotax won't help me fill out a schedule C without buying the Self-Employed version. Do I have to?

[MichaelDC]

1099-MISC Box 6 is business income and closely aligned with box 7 of the 1099-MISC (Non-Employee Compensation).

The only reason it's not in Box 7 is because of the line of work you are in. The IRS just requires medically-related income to go in that box. Per their own instruction (see link below), the income goes on Schedule C. And that fits your story.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1099msc.pdf

If you have only income from self-employment and no expenses, there is no need to upgrade from Deluxe. If you do have expenses, however, that will trigger an upgrade to the TurboTax Self-Employed edition.

Expenses, however, could reduce your total income and overall tax bill.

This may be helpful:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/5559255