Florida is the biggest health insurance market in the country for ACA-compliant coverage. More Floridians enroll through HealthCare.gov than residents of any other state. Yet Florida also has one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in the nation — a paradox explained by the state's unique demographics, its refusal to expand Medicaid, and a coverage gap that affects hundreds of thousands of working-age adults.
This guide covers everything you need to understand about health insurance in Florida in 2026: who needs it, how the ACA marketplace works, which carriers are available, what it costs by region, how subsidies and cost-sharing reductions lower your costs, how Florida Medicaid fits in, and exactly how to enroll. Whether you are self-employed, between jobs, a gig worker, a retiree under 65, or simply trying to understand your options for the first time, this guide is the starting point.
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Florida is, by nearly every measure, the most consequential ACA state in the country. In the 2024 open enrollment period, Florida posted more than 3.4 million marketplace enrollees — the highest of any state in the nation, surpassing California despite Florida's smaller population. This remarkable figure is driven by Florida's large share of self-employed residents, its enormous gig and tourism economy, a significant population of early retirees (ages 60–64) who are too young for Medicare, and persistently low rates of employer-sponsored coverage across the hospitality and construction industries.
Unlike California, New York, Colorado, and more than a dozen other states that operate their own state-based health insurance exchanges, Florida operates exclusively through the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov. There is no Florida state exchange. This means Florida residents apply, compare plans, and enroll entirely through the federal website — and all subsidy determinations flow through federal rules.
The state's health insurance market is shaped by three policy facts that make Florida unique:
The federal individual mandate penalty was set to $0 in 2019, meaning there is no federal tax penalty for going without health insurance. However, the practical consequences of being uninsured in Florida remain severe — one hospital stay, one unexpected diagnosis, or one accident can generate tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Understanding who is most at risk in Florida helps identify who should prioritize marketplace coverage.
Florida's uninsured population is heavily concentrated among working-age adults in low-to-moderate income brackets. Many are employed — often in industries like hospitality, restaurant, retail, construction, agriculture, and lawn and landscaping — where employer-sponsored coverage is either unavailable or costs too much for workers to elect. Florida's economy, centered on tourism, real estate, and agriculture, is disproportionately composed of these industries.
An estimated 400,000–600,000 Floridians earn below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, don't qualify for traditional Florida Medicaid (because they have no dependent children, no qualifying disability, and are not pregnant), and therefore have access to no subsidized coverage at all. These individuals are in Florida's Medicaid coverage gap — a direct consequence of the state's decision not to expand Medicaid.
Many Florida employers — particularly small businesses with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees — are not required to offer health coverage. When they do offer coverage, many workers find it unaffordable. A worker offered employer-only coverage priced above 9.02% of household income in 2026 qualifies as having an "unaffordable offer" and becomes eligible for ACA marketplace subsidies. Workers at Florida's many part-time and seasonal employers often receive no offer at all.
Florida has a disproportionately high share of self-employed residents and independent contractors — real estate agents, contractors, insurance agents, rideshare and delivery drivers, freelancers, and consultants. These workers bear the full cost of their own health coverage and are the core market for Florida's ACA marketplace. Self-employed individuals may also deduct 100% of their health insurance premiums from their federal income taxes.
One of Florida's most economically significant uninsured (and underinsured) groups is early retirees between the ages of 60 and 64 — past working age but not yet eligible for Medicare at 65. These individuals are typically ineligible for employer coverage and must purchase individual market plans. At typical early-retiree income levels, many qualify for substantial ACA subsidies. A 62-year-old in Florida earning $40,000 per year — roughly 250% FPL — could qualify for an Enhanced Silver plan with very low out-of-pocket costs after subsidy.
Florida's agriculture industry employs hundreds of thousands of seasonal and year-round farmworkers, many of whom have variable income profiles that complicate marketplace enrollment. Income projection is a key challenge for this population. Federally Qualified Health Centers and Migrant Health Centers also serve this population regardless of coverage status.
The ACA marketplace in Florida is the federally operated exchange at HealthCare.gov, where individuals and families who don't have access to affordable employer-sponsored coverage, Medicare, or Medicaid can purchase regulated private health insurance with subsidy assistance.
Open enrollment for ACA plans in Florida runs from November 1 through January 15 each year. Plans enrolled by December 15 start January 1 of the following year. Plans enrolled January 1–15 start February 1. Outside of open enrollment, you must have a qualifying Special Enrollment Period event — such as job loss, marriage, birth, or moving — to enroll.
ACA marketplace plans in Florida are organized into metal tiers that describe the actuarial value of the plan — essentially, what share of an average enrollee's medical costs the plan is designed to cover. All metal-tier plans cover the same ten categories of Essential Health Benefits, including preventive care, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity, mental health, prescription drugs, and more. Pre-existing conditions are covered without exception at every tier.
| Metal Tier | Actuarial Value | Monthly Premium | Deductible (typical) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 60% — plan pays 60%, you pay 40% | Lowest | $7,000–$9,000 | Healthy adults who want low premiums and rarely use medical care |
| Silver | 70% baseline; 73–94% with CSR | Moderate | $500–$4,500 depending on CSR tier | Most subsidy-eligible Floridians — CSR makes Silver the best value |
| Gold | 80% | Higher | $500–$1,500 | Frequent medical users who don't qualify for CSR |
| Platinum | 90% | Highest | $0–$500 | High utilizers with complex or chronic conditions; rarely available in Florida |
| Catastrophic | ~40% | Very low | $9,450 (2026 OOP max) | Adults under 30, or those with hardship exemptions only |
Florida's ACA marketplace is served by several major carriers, though availability varies substantially by county. South Florida's major metro counties typically offer three to five carriers; rural North Florida counties may offer only one or two.
Florida Blue is the dominant health insurance carrier in Florida and the only carrier with meaningful statewide presence across all 67 counties. It offers HMO, PPO, and EPO plan types through HealthCare.gov, and its provider networks — particularly its HMO network — are among the broadest in Florida. Florida Blue is often the only choice in rural counties and is frequently the carrier with the widest network in metro markets. Premium pricing tends to be moderate-to-high compared to competitors.
Ambetter (a Centene Corporation product) frequently offers the lowest premium marketplace plans in Florida's major metro markets. For subsidy-eligible enrollees, this can mean very low or $0 monthly premiums after the Advanced Premium Tax Credit on their lowest-tier plans. Ambetter operates primarily as an HMO with narrower networks than Florida Blue; enrollees should verify their specific doctors and hospitals are in-network before selecting. Ambetter has expanded availability in more Florida counties in recent plan years.
Molina is a Medicaid-adjacent carrier that entered Florida's ACA marketplace in select counties. It targets low-to-moderate income enrollees and operates as an HMO with narrow networks. Premiums are competitive in markets where Molina is available. Molina's strength is plan management for subsidy-eligible populations; network depth is more limited than Florida Blue.
UnitedHealthcare re-entered Florida's ACA marketplace in several counties after withdrawing in earlier years. Where available, it offers broad PPO and HMO networks. UnitedHealthcare plans tend to carry higher premiums than Ambetter but broader networks than some competitors. Availability is concentrated in larger metro counties.
The primary financial assistance available through Florida's ACA marketplace is the Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC). This is a federal subsidy that reduces your monthly premium, applied directly to your HealthCare.gov-enrolled plan each month — you never pay the full premium and then wait for a refund.
Your APTC is calculated as the difference between the full premium of the benchmark Silver plan (the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your county) and the maximum amount you are expected to pay as a percentage of your income. In 2026, that expected contribution percentage ranges from 2.06% of income at 100% FPL to 8.5% of income at 400% FPL and above.
ACA subsidies are calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The 2026 FPL figures used for ACA eligibility are:
| Household Size | 100% FPL | 150% FPL | 200% FPL | 250% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $23,940 | $31,920 | $39,900 | $63,840 |
| 2 people | $21,540 | $32,310 | $43,080 | $53,850 | $86,160 |
| 3 people | $27,120 | $40,680 | $54,240 | $67,800 | $108,480 |
| 4 people | $33,240 | $49,860 | $66,480 | $83,100 | $132,960 |
The APTC is an advance payment based on your projected income for the year. At tax time, you reconcile on IRS Form 8962. If your actual income came in higher than projected, you may owe back some or all of the subsidy. If it came in lower, you receive the difference as a tax credit. Accurate income projection is critical — particularly for self-employed Floridians whose income varies from month to month. Report any income change mid-year at HealthCare.gov to adjust your APTC and reduce reconciliation exposure.
If there is one thing most Floridians don't know about health insurance, it's Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSR). CSR is a separate federal subsidy that reduces your deductible, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum — independent of and in addition to the Premium Tax Credit. It is, by far, the most valuable benefit available in the Florida ACA marketplace for income-qualified enrollees. And it is only available on Silver plans.
CSR is automatically applied when you enroll in a Silver plan and your income falls within the qualifying range. There is no separate application. It does not affect your premium — your subsidy handles that. CSR upgrades the actuarial value of your Silver plan from the standard 70% to a significantly higher level depending on your income tier:
| Income Level (% FPL) | CSR Tier | Actuarial Value | Typical Deductible | Typical Out-of-Pocket Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100%–150% FPL | CSR 94 | 94% | $0–$500 | $1,500–$2,000 |
| 150%–200% FPL | CSR 87 | 87% | $500–$1,500 | $2,000–$3,500 |
| 200%–250% FPL | CSR 73 | 73% | $1,500–$3,500 | $4,000–$6,000 |
| Above 250% FPL | No CSR | 70% | Standard Silver deductible | Standard Silver OOP max |
CSR is available only to individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid or employer-sponsored coverage. It is also only available on the exchange — you cannot access CSR through an off-exchange Silver plan. Always enroll through HealthCare.gov to access this benefit.
Florida Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides comprehensive health coverage for specific categories of Floridians. Unlike ACA marketplace plans — which are open to any income-qualifying individual — Florida Medicaid eligibility is categorical. You must fit one of the covered groups, not just have a low income.
Florida Medicaid does not cover able-bodied, non-pregnant adults without dependent children — at any income level. A 35-year-old single adult earning $8,000 per year does not qualify for Florida Medicaid. Neither does a 28-year-old childless couple earning $20,000 per year combined. This is the direct consequence of Florida not expanding Medicaid under the ACA.
Unlike ACA marketplace enrollment, Florida Medicaid has no annual open enrollment period. You can apply at any time through the ACCESS Florida portal at myflorida.com/accessflorida. HealthCare.gov also screens for Medicaid eligibility during the marketplace application — if you appear eligible, you will be referred to Medicaid automatically.
Florida health insurance premiums vary by age, county, household size, and tobacco use. The benchmark figure most commonly referenced is the full (pre-subsidy) monthly premium for a 40-year-old enrolling in the second-lowest-cost Silver plan. Subsidies reduce this figure substantially for income-qualifying Floridians.
| Region | Key Counties | Benchmark Silver (Full) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach | $400–$430/mo | Highest premiums in state; most carrier competition |
| Tampa Bay | Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee | $375–$400/mo | Strong mid-tier market; multiple carrier options |
| Central Florida | Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia | $370–$395/mo | Competitive market; large gig/hospitality workforce |
| Southwest Florida | Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota | $380–$415/mo | Affluent retiree concentration; higher cost area |
| Northeast Florida | Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Alachua | $360–$390/mo | Jacksonville metro; moderate pricing |
| Panhandle | Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, Leon | $340–$375/mo | Lowest premiums in state; fewer carriers in rural areas |
| North Central / Rural | Suwannee, Taylor, Gilchrist, Levy | $350–$380/mo | Often Florida Blue only; access challenges |
The full premium above represents what you'd pay with no subsidy. For most Floridians, the APTC dramatically reduces this. The table below shows estimated monthly premium after subsidy for a single 40-year-old in Tampa Bay (benchmark Silver ~$390/mo) at various income levels:
| Income (Single) | % FPL | Max You Pay (% of income) | Est. Monthly Premium After Subsidy | CSR Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,960 | 100% | 2.06% ($27/mo) | ~$0–$30 | Yes — CSR 94 (nearly Platinum-level) |
| $19,952 | 125% | 3.0% (~$50/mo) | ~$50 | Yes — CSR 94 |
| $23,940 | 150% | 4.0% (~$80/mo) | ~$80 | Yes — CSR 87 |
| $31,920 | 200% | 6.0% (~$160/mo) | ~$160 | Yes — CSR 73 |
| $39,900 | 250% | 8.5% (~$282/mo) | ~$282 | No |
| $63,840 | 400% | 8.5% (~$452/mo) | ~$390 (full price below cap) | No |
Estimates based on 2026 FPL values and Tampa Bay benchmark Silver plan. Actual premiums vary by county, carrier, and plan selection. These are illustrative figures — verify exact amounts at HealthCare.gov.
A licensed Florida health insurance agent will compare every plan available in your county, calculate your exact subsidy, and help you enroll — at no cost to you. Agent compensation is built into the premium you'd pay anyway.
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Florida is a geographically and economically diverse state. Health insurance availability, pricing, and the dominant insured population vary considerably from one region to the next.
South Florida is the most populous, most diverse, and most competitive ACA market in the state. Miami-Dade consistently ranks among the top counties nationally for ACA enrollment. The region has the highest benchmark Silver premiums in the state, driven by high healthcare costs in South Florida's hospital systems. However, it also has the most carrier options — typically three to five on HealthCare.gov — and a large population of subsidy-eligible enrollees, including a significant self-employed Cuban-American and Latin American business community and a large service industry workforce. South Florida also has a substantial population of individuals who came to Florida partly for health coverage access — particularly retirees from expensive Northeastern states.
Tampa Bay is Florida's fastest-growing metro area and has a strong, competitive ACA marketplace. Hillsborough County (Tampa) is one of the state's top enrollment counties. The region has a large and growing tech, finance, and healthcare employment base — meaning many residents have employer-sponsored coverage — alongside a significant hospitality, construction, and gig economy workforce that relies on the marketplace. Benchmark Silver premiums are moderate by Florida standards, and multiple carriers compete in most ZIP codes.
The Orlando metro has one of the highest concentrations of hospitality and tourism industry workers of any market in the country. Disney, Universal, and their associated contractor and vendor ecosystems employ tens of thousands of workers in roles with inconsistent or unavailable employer coverage. Orlando is a high-enrollment ACA county precisely because of this dynamic. Premiums are competitive, and carrier availability is good in the core Orlando metro. Volusia and Osceola counties have slightly fewer options.
Southwest Florida has a distinct demographic profile: a large concentration of wealthy retirees and snowbirds, alongside a substantial lower-income service and construction workforce. Lee and Collier counties (Fort Myers and Naples) sit at opposite ends of the income spectrum and correspondingly at opposite ends of the subsidy spectrum. An early retiree in Naples drawing down retirement assets may qualify for significant ACA subsidies based on current-year income. A construction laborer in Cape Coral may qualify for CSR Silver plans. Premiums are moderate to high.
Northwest Florida has the lowest benchmark Silver premiums in the state — sometimes 15–20% below South Florida rates. The region includes a large military presence (Eglin, Pensacola NAS, Tyndall) which means a significant portion of residents have TRICARE coverage. The civilian population that uses the ACA marketplace tends to be lower-to-moderate income, and the carrier market is less competitive. Leon County (Tallahassee), home to Florida State, is an outlier with a more educated, professional employment base and good carrier availability.
Rural North and North Central Florida counties — particularly those in the Big Bend region, the Suwannee Valley, and the agricultural counties from Gilchrist to Hendry — face significant health insurance access challenges. In many of these counties, only Florida Blue is available on the marketplace. Provider networks are thin. Many residents in the coverage gap have no accessible subsidized option. Community health centers operated by the Florida Community Health Centers association serve as the primary healthcare safety net for uninsured residents in these communities.
Active duty military members and their dependents are covered by TRICARE, not the ACA marketplace. TRICARE counts as "minimum essential coverage" and satisfies ACA requirements. Veterans with VA healthcare coverage are also considered covered. However, veterans who use VA for some care but are not enrolled in VA healthcare (or who want supplemental commercial coverage) may purchase ACA marketplace plans. VA coverage alone does not disqualify a veteran from marketplace enrollment if they are not enrolled in VA healthcare — the interaction is specific to the individual's VA enrollment status.
Florida has one of the largest snowbird populations in the country — residents who spend part of the year in Florida and part in another state. For ACA marketplace purposes, you enroll in the marketplace of your primary state of residence. If Florida is your primary residence (183+ days per year, driver's license, voter registration), you enroll through Florida's HealthCare.gov marketplace. If you spend significant time in another state, verify your network covers you in both locations — many Florida HMO plans do not cover out-of-state non-emergency care. A PPO may be a better choice for snowbirds.
Florida college students can remain on a parent's plan through age 26. Those who lack parental coverage have several options: many Florida universities offer student health plans (not ACA-compliant but often affordable); students earning income can enroll in the ACA marketplace if they are not dependents; and students with very low income may qualify for Florida Medicaid if they fit categorical criteria (pregnancy, disability). Students should verify residency and dependency status before enrolling independently.
This is one of the most strategically important groups in Florida's ACA market. An early retiree at 62 who is drawing down savings or living off investments may have a very low reportable income for ACA purposes — potentially qualifying for substantial subsidies or even CSR Silver plans. However, income sources matter: Social Security (if started at 62) counts toward ACA income; distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s count; Roth conversions count. Strategic retirement income planning can substantially reduce ACA marketplace premiums for this population. A licensed agent and financial planner working together can optimize this significantly.
Florida's agricultural industry — citrus, sugarcane, tomato, strawberry, and nursery — employs hundreds of thousands of workers with highly variable seasonal income. Marketplace enrollment for this population requires careful income projection. Workers who expect to earn above 100% FPL annually should enroll in the marketplace during open enrollment. Workers earning below 100% FPL who have qualifying characteristics (children, pregnancy) should apply for Medicaid through ACCESS Florida. Those in the gap should seek care at Migrant Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Enrolling in Florida health insurance through the ACA marketplace is a straightforward process when you approach it systematically. Here is the step-by-step process:
Before starting your HealthCare.gov application, collect: Social Security numbers for all household members; proof of income (pay stubs, most recent tax return, income estimates for self-employed); information on any employer-sponsored coverage offered to you (plan name, employee-only premium); and immigration documents if applicable.
Create or log in to your HealthCare.gov account. Complete the application with household information and income. HealthCare.gov will screen you for Medicaid eligibility automatically and tell you whether you qualify for Medicaid, the marketplace, or neither.
Review the plans available in your county. Pay attention to: monthly premium after subsidy; deductible; out-of-pocket maximum; carrier network (your doctors and hospitals); drug formulary (your prescriptions); and whether CSR is being applied (it should be, automatically, if you qualify and select Silver). Do not choose based on premium alone — a Silver CSR plan with a higher premium than a Bronze plan may cost you far less overall if you use healthcare at all.
Before completing enrollment, call your doctor's office and hospital to confirm they accept the specific plan and carrier you're enrolling in. Marketplace plan networks — particularly HMO networks — can be narrow. This step prevents coverage surprises.
After selecting your plan, complete enrollment by the deadline. Your coverage does not start until you pay your first premium — failure to pay the first premium before the due date means your coverage never activates. Set a reminder and pay immediately upon receiving your invoice from the carrier.
Once coverage starts, carry your member ID card, understand your deductible and copay structure, and report any mid-year income changes to HealthCare.gov immediately. Changes in household size (marriage, birth, divorce) or income should be reported within 30 days to keep your subsidy accurate.
The most common and costly mistake in Florida's ACA market is choosing the cheapest premium plan — typically Bronze — without considering how much you'd pay out-of-pocket if you needed care. A Bronze plan with a $7,000 deductible and a $50/month premium can be far more expensive than an Enhanced Silver plan with a $500 deductible and an $80/month premium, for any enrollee who visits a doctor even twice per year. For CSR-eligible Floridians, the Silver plan is nearly always the financially dominant choice.
CSR is only available on Silver plans. If you earn between 100% and 250% FPL and enroll in a Bronze plan to save on monthly premiums, you permanently forfeit the deductible and out-of-pocket reductions that CSR would provide on the Silver plan. This cannot be changed outside of a qualifying SEP. Thousands of Floridians make this mistake annually.
If your actual annual income ends up higher than what you projected when applying for your APTC, you may owe the difference back at tax time on Form 8962. For self-employed Floridians with variable income — particularly in real estate, construction, or seasonal tourism — this can result in unexpected tax liabilities. Update your income estimate mid-year at HealthCare.gov if your earnings change significantly.
Marriage, divorce, having a baby, moving to a new county, gaining or losing employer coverage — all of these are qualifying events that should be reported to HealthCare.gov within 30 days. Failing to report can result in a mismatch between your subsidy and your actual circumstances, leading to reconciliation issues at tax time or a lapse in the right coverage type.
When you lose job-based coverage — typically the most common SEP trigger in Florida — you have 60 days to enroll in a marketplace plan. Many Floridians wait, assume they have more time, or simply forget. If the 60-day window closes without enrollment, they are uninsured until the next open enrollment. Treat the job-loss SEP window like a hard deadline.
Coverage does not start at the moment you click "enroll." It starts at the beginning of the month after your enrollment date, provided you pay the first premium. Coverage enrolled by December 15 starts January 1. Coverage enrolled January 1–15 starts February 1. Do not schedule elective procedures or defer care based on a plan that hasn't actually started yet.
What is the best health insurance in Florida in 2026?
The best plan depends on your income, county, and health needs. For most subsidy-eligible Floridians earning under 250% FPL, an Enhanced Silver plan is the highest-value option because Cost-Sharing Reductions dramatically reduce your deductible and out-of-pocket costs. Florida Blue has the broadest network statewide. Ambetter frequently offers the lowest premiums for subsidy-eligible enrollees. A licensed Florida agent can compare all plans available in your ZIP code at no cost to you.
How much does health insurance cost in Florida?
The full (unsubsidized) benchmark Silver plan for a 40-year-old ranges from approximately $340 per month in the Panhandle to $430 in Miami-Dade. After subsidies, most income-qualifying Floridians pay far less. At 200% FPL ($31,920/year for a single person), a 40-year-old in Tampa Bay may pay around $160 per month for Silver coverage. At 100%–150% FPL, many Floridians pay $0–$80 per month for an Enhanced Silver plan with a very low deductible.
Does Florida have free health insurance?
Some Floridians can access health insurance with $0 or very low monthly premiums. Florida Medicaid is free for eligible enrollees. On the ACA marketplace, Floridians earning 100%–150% FPL often pay $0 or near-$0 monthly premiums after the APTC, with very low deductibles from Cost-Sharing Reductions. This is not available to everyone — income, household size, and eligibility criteria all apply.
When is open enrollment for Florida health insurance?
Florida ACA marketplace open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 each year. Coverage enrolled by December 15 starts January 1. Coverage enrolled January 1–15 starts February 1. Outside open enrollment, Special Enrollment Periods are available for qualifying life events. Florida Medicaid has no enrollment window — you can apply at any time at ACCESS Florida.
Does Florida have Medicaid expansion?
No. Florida has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, able-bodied adults without dependent children do not qualify for Florida Medicaid regardless of how low their income is. Adults below 100% FPL who don't fit Medicaid's categorical eligibility criteria fall into Florida's coverage gap — ineligible for both Medicaid and ACA marketplace subsidies. Florida is one of a small number of remaining holdout states on Medicaid expansion.
What is the income limit for ACA subsidies in Florida?
There is no hard upper income limit for ACA subsidies under current law. The American Rescue Plan removed the 400% FPL subsidy cliff, meaning higher-income individuals receive a subsidy as long as their full-price plan would cost more than 8.5% of their income. The minimum income to qualify is 100% FPL ($15,960 for a single person in 2026). Below 100% FPL, you would need to qualify for Medicaid — and in Florida, most adults below 100% FPL who lack qualifying characteristics fall into the coverage gap with no subsidized option.
What ACA health insurance carriers are available in Florida?
The major ACA carriers in Florida for 2026 include Florida Blue (statewide), Ambetter from Sunshine Health (available in many counties, often the lowest-cost option for subsidy-eligible enrollees), Molina Healthcare (select metro counties), and UnitedHealthcare (available in many larger markets). Carrier availability varies by county — enter your ZIP code at HealthCare.gov to see all options available where you live.
Can I get health insurance in Florida outside of open enrollment?
Yes, if you have a qualifying life event. Special Enrollment Periods are triggered by losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby, moving to a new county or state, turning 26 and aging off a parent's plan, or other qualifying events. You generally have 60 days from the event to enroll. Outside of SEPs and the annual open enrollment window, you cannot enroll in an ACA marketplace plan. Florida Medicaid can be applied for year-round at any time.
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Related reading: Florida ACA Guide Hub · Florida ACA Subsidy Guide · Florida Medicaid vs. Marketplace · Florida CSR Silver Plans Guide · Florida Health Insurance Cost Guide