How to Apply for ACA Insurance Florida — Step by Step

Create Your HealthCare.gov Account

Go to HealthCare.gov and click "Create account." You'll enter your email address, create a username and password, and set up identity verification. HealthCare.gov uses Login.gov or ID.me for identity verification — have a government-issued ID or passport ready for this step.

If you applied in a previous year, you can log in with your existing account. Your prior application information may be pre-filled, but review everything carefully — income, household members, and coverage preferences may have changed.

Start a New Application

Once logged in, click "Start a new application" or "Update my application" if you're renewing. Select your state (Florida) and begin the household section. You'll be asked whether you're applying for yourself only, for yourself and dependents, or for dependents only.

Enter Household Information

Add every person in your household who will be on the application. For each person, you'll enter:

• Name, date of birth, and Social Security number
• Relationship to the primary applicant
• Whether they are a U.S. citizen or lawfully present immigrant
• Whether they are currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or employer coverage

The marketplace uses "household" in the tax sense — generally the people you claim as dependents on your federal tax return, plus your spouse if filing jointly.

Enter Household Income

This is the most important section for determining your subsidy. Enter your projected annual household income for the current year. Include all sources: wages, self-employment income (net of business expenses), Social Security, alimony, rental income, and investment income.

For self-employed Floridians: use net self-employment income — your gross business revenue minus your business expenses. The self-employed health insurance deduction you claim on your federal taxes may affect your net income calculation. See our self-employed health insurance guide for more detail.

Do not include non-taxable income sources like gifts, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or child support received.

Review Your Eligibility Results

After entering your household and income information, HealthCare.gov calculates your eligibility. You'll see one of three outcomes:

• Marketplace coverage with tax credit: You qualify for an Advance Premium Tax Credit (and possibly CSR). The system shows how much the credit reduces your premium.
• Marketplace coverage without tax credit: Your income is too high for a credit, but you can still buy ACA-compliant coverage.
• Medicaid or CHIP eligible: Your income and household composition may qualify you for Medicaid (for children or pregnant women) or CHIP. Remember — Florida has not expanded Medicaid for most adults.

To understand your subsidy in depth, see our ACA Subsidy Calculator Florida 2026 guide.

Browse and Compare Plans

You'll now see all plans available in your Florida county, filtered to show your after-subsidy cost. You can sort by premium, deductible, or metal tier. For each plan, review:

• Monthly premium after tax credit
• Deductible (the amount you pay before insurance kicks in)
• Out-of-pocket maximum (the most you'll pay in the year)
• Copays for primary care and specialist visits
• Prescription drug coverage and tier structure
• Provider network — search for your doctors on the carrier's website to verify they're in-network

For guidance on comparing plan types and metal tiers, see our Florida ACA Plans 2026 comparison guide.

Enroll in Your Chosen Plan

Once you've selected a plan, click "Enroll." You'll confirm your selections and consent to the terms. The system generates a confirmation number — save this. You'll also receive a confirmation email from HealthCare.gov and a separate welcome packet from your insurance carrier.

Pay Your First Month's Premium

This step is critical and often missed: enrollment on HealthCare.gov does not activate your coverage. You must contact your insurance carrier directly (or use their online portal) to pay your first month's premium. Until payment is received and processed, you do not have active coverage.

Your carrier will send you payment instructions. Pay before the due date indicated — typically 10–15 days before your coverage start date. If you miss the first payment, your enrollment may be canceled and you'll need to re-enroll.