AvMed is Florida's oldest nonprofit health plan, founded in Gainesville in 1969, and its 24.5% approved increase is one of the lowest of any 2026 Florida carrier. Florida Blue is the only major 2026 marketplace carrier offering true PPO plans, and it sells in 60+ of Florida's 67 counties. Both compete on Florida's 2026 ACA marketplace, where 16 insurers now participate and the statewide weighted-average rate rose roughly 31.5% before subsidies — but the two carriers take very different approaches to networks, plan types, and price.
This comparison breaks down how AvMed and Florida Blue differ on county availability, provider networks, plan types, 2026 premiums, and member experience — and which type of Florida enrollee each one fits best.
Comparing ACA plans in Florida
Florida-domiciled and Florida-only: AvMed is headquartered in Florida and sells only in Florida — founded in Gainesville in 1969, it is the state's oldest nonprofit health plan. Decisions, provider relationships, and member service are all Florida-based rather than run from a national headquarters.
Nonprofit mission and member service: As a nonprofit, AvMed reinvests in members and is known for member-service and care-management quality, including its WELLfluent wellness programs.
One of the lowest 2026 increases: AvMed's 24.5% approved rate increase for 2026 is among the lowest of any Florida carrier, which can make it competitive in the counties it serves.
Broadest provider network: As a Blue Cross Blue Shield company, Florida Blue contracts with the majority of hospitals and physicians in the state — AdventHealth, Baptist Health, HCA Florida, Orlando Health, Memorial Healthcare, Tampa General, and BayCare all participate in Florida Blue networks. No 2026 marketplace carrier comes close to its provider breadth.
PPO availability: Florida Blue is the only major Florida ACA carrier offering true PPO plans for 2026. PPOs add out-of-network coverage, no specialist referrals, and access to the national BlueCard network — a real advantage for snowbirds and frequent travelers.
Statewide reach and retail centers: Florida Blue operates in 60+ of Florida's 67 counties and runs Florida Blue Centers across the state where members get face-to-face help with enrollment and claims. In many rural counties it is the only carrier on the exchange.
| Feature | AvMed | Florida Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Founded / status | 1969 — Florida's oldest nonprofit health plan | 1944 (80+ years in FL) |
| Plan types | HMO | HMO + PPO |
| Florida county availability | Florida-only; select counties | 60+ of 67 counties (statewide) |
| Telehealth | Virtual visits included | Available; copays vary by plan |
| Provider network | Florida-focused; strong in home regions | Broadest in Florida |
| Out-of-network coverage | Emergency only | PPO: Yes / HMO: Emergency only |
| Signature feature | Florida-domiciled nonprofit; WELLfluent wellness | Statewide retail centers; BlueCard national network |
| 2026 approved rate change | +24.5% (one of the lowest in FL) | +29.6% (HMO +29%) |
AvMed runs Florida-only HMO networks that are strongest in its home regions — South Florida, parts of Central Florida, the Gainesville/Alachua area, and Jacksonville — with out-of-network care covered for emergencies only. Its footprint is far smaller than statewide Florida Blue, so county availability is the first thing to check.
Florida Blue's network is among the broadest of any carrier in any state. Nearly every major Florida health system participates, so enrollees rarely face access problems — the trade-off is that its 2026 approved rate increase of 29.6% (29% for the Health Options HMO line) keeps premiums above the lowest-cost value carriers.
The network gap between these two carriers is the single most important thing to check before you enroll, because an ACA plan only pays in full when you stay in its network.
Sticker premiums rose across the board for 2026 — Florida's statewide weighted average climbed about 31.5% before subsidies. The illustrative Silver-plan figures below show how AvMed and Florida Blue compare in counties where both compete.
| County (35-yr-old, non-smoker, Silver) | AvMed | Florida Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | ~$500/mo | ~$545/mo (HMO) / ~$615/mo (PPO) |
| Orange (Orlando) County | ~$475/mo | ~$510/mo (HMO) / ~$580/mo (PPO) |
| Alachua (Gainesville) County | ~$470/mo | ~$520/mo (HMO) |
Approximate 2026 unsubsidized premiums for a 35-year-old non-smoker, before APTC subsidies. What you actually pay is set by the benchmark Silver plan in your rating area; more than 95% of Florida enrollees qualify for a subsidy. As a reference point, regulators cited a 28-year-old in Duval County on a Silver plan moving from about $149 to roughly $281 per month for 2026.
A licensed Florida health insurance agent can compare your 2026 options county by county and check whether your providers are in-network — at no cost to you.
Compare Plans in Your County