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Florida Health Insurance

By Michael LaPick Healthcare Writer

Michael LaPick Healthcare Writer

Michael LaPick is a Healthcare/Medicare data researcher for HealthCare.com and its web properties.  Previously, he has written investigative stories for the Poughkeepsie Journal and WAMC NPR Albany, keeping an eye on how Americans spend their money.

Updated on June 7th, 2024

Fact checked by: Colleen McGuire

Colleen McGuire HealthCare Writer

Colleen McGuire is an independent consultant who has spent most of her career writing about healthcare and the health insurance industry. For fun she blogs, travels and takes a lot of pictures along the way.

The Sunshine State is one of the best places to get financial assistance on Obamacare health insurance sold through the Marketplace.

We want to help you make educated healthcare decisions. While this post may have links to lead generation forms, this won’t influence our writing. We adhere to strict editorial standards to provide the most accurate and unbiased information.

Explore various Florida health insurance coverage options below that fit your health needs and budget. 

  1. State Marketplace Plans: Essential health benefits/coverage differs by metal levels
    • Catastrophic Plans: Lower-cost emergency coverage available for those under the age of 30
  2. Medicaid: State/Federal healthcare program for those with lower income or certain disabilities
  3. Medicare: Federal healthcare program for those age 65 and older and those with certain disabilities

Compare these different types of major medical health insurance plans in Florida based on your health needs, budget, as well income, and age eligibility. 

ACA Marketplace

This state offers affordable health insurance for individuals and families through the public exchange at Healthcare.gov.

NOTE: If you’re self-employed with no employees, you qualify as an individual. 

  • Plans are available in four metal levels: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.
    • Each metal plan covers a percentage of your healthcare costs, from 60% (bronze) to 90% (platinum), with bronze being the least expensive and platinum the most expensive.
    • Catastrophic plans are also available for individuals under the age of 30.
  • All plans provide comprehensive coverage, including essential health benefits such as hospitalization, maternity care, prescription drugs, and preventive services.

Open enrollment is from [November 1 to January 15] each year for independent individual and family health insurance plans regulated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

Subsidies For ACA Plans 

Obamacare (ACA) subsidies are financial aid to help pay for your monthly premiums based on your income and household size, not your employment status. So you can still qualify for savings on an Obamacare plan even if you’re unemployed or in between jobs. You can report your expected income from unemployment benefits when applying for coverage.

  • Subsidies are available if the benchmark plan costs more than 8.5% of your income, with no cap on income level. 
  • Our ACA subsidy calculator helps you determine your eligibility for healthcare subsidies based on your income, household size, and location. The tool also accounts for special cases like unemployment benefits.

Get ACA-qualified coverage in the private Marketplace by buying directly from a private insurer or through a licensed insurance agent.

Catastrophic Health Insurance for Financial Hardship

Catastrophic health insurance is typically for those under 30, but if you’re over 30 and facing financial hardship (e.g., eviction, high medical debt, or bankruptcy), you can qualify for a hardship exemption to purchase a catastrophic plan.

While not as comprehensive as standard Obamacare plans, catastrophic plans include all ACA essential health benefits. 

Plans for Students in Florida

  • College Health Insurance: Enrolling in your school’s health plan is one of the best ways to get low-cost health insurance. Most plans qualify as coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), meaning they offer the essential health benefits required.
  • Parent’s Health Plan: Under the ACA, you can usually stay on your parent’s health plan until age 26. You can enroll even if you don’t live with your parents, they don’t claim you as a dependent, or you leave school. Coverage typically ends on your 26th birthday.
  • Florida Obamacare Insurance for Students: You can purchase your own Obamacare plan through Healthcare.gov. Keep in mind that you must enroll during the Open Enrollment Period unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

If You Qualify for Low-Income Coverage

Medicaid offers no or low-cost health benefits to eligible families and individuals based on income. See if you qualify. Florida also provides coverage for babies, and infants to age 18 through the Children’s Health Insurance Program for Floridians from birth through the end of age 18.

Medicare

There are several Medicare options available. The default is Original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) insurance, which are managed by the federal government. 

Many enrollees add plans sold by private insurance companies, such as Medicare Part D (prescription coverage) or Medicare Supplement insurance. These plans fill in gaps of coverage that Part A and B don’t cover. Residents can also opt for a Medicare Advantage plan, an alternative to Original Medicare that can include additional benefits. 

Short-Term Medical Plans

Unlike Obamacare plans, short-term medical plans are not regulated by the ACA. They don’t provide comprehensive health insurance and can deny you coverage based on a preexisting condition. However, short-term health insurance may be ideal for situations where you’re temporarily uninsured, such as losing coverage from a former job or waiting for coverage to begin at a new job.

Next Steps

Whether you’re applying for health insurance in Florida for yourself or a family of four, make sure to review all your options. Examine what makes sense for your needs and budget.

Resources

  • Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov)
    • Click here to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. For questions, call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
  • State Assistance
    • Click here to find a local navigator or certified application counselor to help you get health benefits coverage.
  • Understanding Health Insurance
    • Click here for resources to understand health insurance and the marketplace better.

Article Sources

  1. Florida Department of Health. “Florida Department of Health.” Florida Department of Health. 7 June 2024, http://www.floridahealth.gov/.
  2. Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. “Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.” Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. 7 June 2024, http://www.floir.com/.
  3. Healthcare Insider. “Florida Student Health Insurance.” Healthcare Insider. 7 June 2024, https://healthcareinsider.com/florida-student-health-insurance-18662.
  4. Healthcare.com. “Medicare Basics.” Healthcare.com. 7 June 2024, https://www.healthcare.com/medicare-basics-181670.
  5. Florida Department of Health. “Access to Care Resources.” Florida Department of Health. 7 June 2024, https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/minority-health/CommunityResources/AccesstoCareResources.html.

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