Becoming a Florida Resident: Your Health Insurance Guide for 2026

Florida's ACA Marketplace: What New Residents Need to Know

Unlike New York, California, and several other states that run their own insurance exchanges, Florida uses the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov. This means:

• One enrollment portal: healthcare.gov
• Standard ACA rules and subsidy calculations apply
• Plans vary by county — you'll see plans specific to your Florida ZIP code
• Florida is one of the largest ACA markets in the country, with strong insurer participation in metro areas

How to Trigger Your Special Enrollment Period

Moving to Florida from another state qualifies as gaining access to a new coverage service area — a qualifying life event under the ACA. To use this SEP:

1. Go to HealthCare.gov and log in or create an account
2. Select "I'm applying for the first time" or update an existing account
3. Under qualifying events, select "I moved to a new coverage area" or "I recently moved"
4. Enter your new Florida address and move date
5. HealthCare.gov will confirm SEP eligibility and open plan selection for your Florida county

You have 60 days from your move date. You can also enroll up to 60 days before your move, selecting a coverage start date that aligns with when you arrive.

What Counts as Florida Residency

For ACA purposes, you must live in your enrolled state. Florida residency means Florida is your primary residence — the address where you live most of the time. Evidence of Florida residency includes:

• Florida lease agreement or mortgage
• Florida utility bill at your address
• Florida voter registration
• Florida driver's license or state ID
• Employer letter confirming Florida location
• Bank statements with Florida address

Florida's Medicaid Situation for New Residents

If you're moving from a Medicaid-expansion state (most states), this is critically important: Florida has not expanded Medicaid. Adults without dependent children do not qualify for Florida Medicaid, regardless of income. If you were on expanded Medicaid in another state, you'll need to enroll in an ACA marketplace plan in Florida.

If your income is below 100% FPL ($15,960 for a single adult in 2026), you may fall in the coverage gap — not eligible for Medicaid or ACA subsidies. See our low-income coverage guide for resources.

Children may still qualify for Florida Medicaid or KidCare (CHIP) regardless of parental eligibility — apply at access.florida.gov.

Canceling Your Prior State's Coverage

When you enroll in a Florida plan, you should cancel your prior state's coverage effective the date your Florida coverage begins. If you had an ACA marketplace plan in another state:

• Log into your prior state's exchange (or HealthCare.gov if it was a federal exchange state) and cancel your plan
• Time the cancellation carefully — you don't want overlap (paying two premiums) or a gap
• You may be entitled to a prorated premium refund for the month your old plan ends before month's end

If you had employer-sponsored coverage at a prior job, notify HR of your departure and confirm coverage end date for COBRA election purposes.

Florida's Insurance Market by Region

Plan availability and insurer options vary significantly by Florida county:

Use HealthCare.gov's plan preview tool with your specific ZIP code to see what's available before you commit to a Florida address.

Getting Started: Your Pre-Move Checklist

• Confirm your new Florida ZIP code and county
• Preview available plans at HealthCare.gov with your Florida ZIP (you can do this without logging in)
• Estimate your projected annual income for the coverage year — this determines your subsidy
• Verify that your current doctors or specialists have Florida counterparts (if you're relocating a medical relationship)
• Plan your coverage start date to align with your move date and prior coverage end date

For a detailed walkthrough of the enrollment process, see our step-by-step ACA application guide.