Florida Health Insurance: 2023 Coverage Guide

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Are you buying your own insurance this year? Many people opt to buy their own healthcare coverage for various reasons. As a resident of Florida, you have many options for health care coverage, and we want to help. But first things first. You’ll want to enroll in a new health plan during open enrollment, unless you have a qualifying event that allows you to buy health insurance at any time.

When Is Open Enrollment in Florida?

November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 

How to Get Health Insurance in Florida

Selecting the right healthcare coverage requires a little forethought. You’ll want to select a tier based on the previous year’s healthcare needs, unless it included services that you would not normally require. Looking at how often you needed care will help you estimate costs for the upcoming year. And you’ll be better able to select a plan based on the number of visits you anticipate and based on whether or not you want to keep your current doctors. Regardless of which type of plan or how much coverage you plan to buy, it’s a good idea to compare health insurance companies and health insurance quotes before you buy. After you submit a form with SmartFinancial by clicking the second link above, you’ll get several competing health insurance rates to choose from. We’ll also connect you with the best matching agent in your area so you can buy the coverage or simply ask questions about the plan you’re considering.

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Florida?

HMOs, EPOs, PPOs and POS plans are the most commonly available in Florida. You can also find short-term insurance plans and catastrophic plans, which only provide coverage for emergencies but not regular care. Full health care plans are available in the following tiers: bronze (covers 60% of costs), silver (70%), gold (80%) and platinum (90%). So, if you see your doctor several times a month, a platinum plan, which costs more each month, may save you money overall by covering more of your copays and coinsurance. That’s why it’s important to look at your health care needs when selecting a plan. You’ll also want to choose a plan based on whether or not you wish to keep your current doctor(s).

Does Health Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?

It is now illegal for marketplace health plans to deny anyone health insurance coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Compare Health Insurance Plans in Florida

Do I Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?

Common reasons people qualify for a special enrollment period:

  • Lost or quit a job. You may have lost a job, changed jobs or even started your own business. If you lost a job and with it your health insurance, you qualify for the special enrollment period. If you changed jobs and are not offered health insurance, you qualify to buy health insurance after the enrollment period.
  • Turned 26. If you were on your parents’ health insurance plan but turned 26 after the enrollment period, you can enroll in an individual health plan.
  • Moved to another state or out of an HMO coverage area. You may have had a health plan that was only valid in one state but you moved to another state after the enrollment period. You can sign up for a new health plan.
  • Cobra coverage ended. If you extended your healthcare with Cobra and reached the deadline, you can enroll in a new health plan.
  • Divorce. If you were married and shared a health plan coverage with your spouse but divorced, you still have time to enroll in a new health plan.
  • Marriage. If you recently married, you may be able to get added onto your spouse’s policy or start an entirely new one together.
  • Birth or adoption of a child. If your baby was born or brought home after the open enrollment date, you can still buy health insurance for that child.
  • Death of spouse or partner. If you were covered under your spouse or partner’s health plan but that person passed away, you can take advantage of the special qualifying events exception to enroll in an individual plan.
  • Spouse of partner loses coverage. If you previously had health insurance through a partner or spouse who lost his/her coverage for any qualifying reason, you are eligible to buy an individual plan or buy coverage with that spouse/partner again.

Is Health Insurance Required in Florida?

No, only California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island, and DC still require health insurance. Otherwise, there is a tax penalty. Even though it’s not required in every state, buying health insurance is necessary to avoid medical bankruptcy.

How Much Is Health Insurance in Florida?

Health insurance in Florida is not cheap. The average cost of health insurance in Florida for a 40 year old is about $554 a month. Health insurance only becomes more expensive as you age. Tobacco use also increases health insurance rates.

How to Save on Health Insurance in Florida?

To save money on health insurance in Michigan, compare rates based on the tier system. Beforehand, you’ll want to estimate your medical costs.

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Medicare in Florida

Medicare is health insurance coverage for Americans ages 65 years and older. The government also allows younger people with disabilities to enroll in the program. Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (a permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant) can also sign up as can some individuals with severe mental health issues. Others who qualify for Medicare disability coverage are individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Most beneficiaries will receive Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Some people buy Medicare Advantage, which includes Part A and B as well as offering vision, dental and prescription drug coverage.

How Many People Are on Medicare in Florida?

Roughly 21% of the people in Florida are insured through Medicare.

How Much Is Medicare in Florida?

If you do not qualify for Medicare, you can buy it for $499 a month for Part A in 2022 and a standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B was $177.10, or even higher depending on income.

Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage: What’s the Difference?

Medicare is a government subsidized health plan that is available to qualified Americans age 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is sold through private health insurance companies, but these policies are also regulated by the government. Medicare Advantage plans offer the same benefits as Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage plans also offer more coverage for dental, vision, hearing and prescription drugs. Medicare Advantage plans have a maximum out-of-pocket limit. For 2022, it was $7,550 but many plans set their maximums at a much lower cost. That is why it’s important to compare companies. People who opt for original Medicare can buy Medicare Supplements to help with out-of-pocket costs. You cannot buy both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during open enrollment, you will automatically be disenrolled from original Medicare.

How to Get Medicare Coverage in Florida

If you receive social security payments, you may automatically enroll in Medicare, but you may have to sign up if you do not receive payments. The easiest way to enroll in Medicare is by working with a trusted insurance agent to get the coverages you want. Just enter your zip code and answer a few simple questions.

Types of Medicare Plans Available

Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost Plans (only offered in certain areas), Demonstration/Pilot Programs (also called Research Studies; only offered in certain areas) and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

How Do I Qualify for Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare you must be a citizen of the U.S. or have been a legal resident for at least five years. If you are age 65 or older and you/your spouse have worked for at least 10 years (40 quarters) or you have a disability, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you most likely qualify for Medicare.

How Can I Save on Medicare in Florida?

You can save on Medicare by signing up for Part B as soon as you’re eligible. People who enroll late must pay a penalty every year. If you’re interested in buying Medicare Advantage, you can shop and compare Medicare plans for the best value.

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Florida State Health System Ranking

Ever wonder how your state stacks up when it comes to quality healthcare? The Commonwealth Fund published a report in 2020 on State Health System Performance. They took into consideration the access to quality care, health outcomes, and disparities in all 50 states. The scores for the Florida Health System are listed below:

  • Florida: Overall Ranking: 44 of 51
  • Florida: Overall Performance: Worse than Average
  • Florida: Access and Affordability: 47
  • Florida: Prevention and Treatment: 44
  • Florida: Avoidable Hospital Use and Cost: 49
  • Florida: Healthy Lives: 31
  • Florida: Health Care Disparities: 32

Find Affordable Health Insurance in Florida

Florida Health Insurance Coverage

The people of Florida have different kinds of health insurance while some Florida residents are not insured at all. See the breakdown below:

  • Private coverage: 44%
  • Medicaid: 19%
  • Medicare: 21%
  • Uninsured: 16%

Report: America's Health Insurance Plans

Florida Health Insurance Companies

The following carriers offer health insurance and/or medicare in Florida.

  • Capital Health Plan, Inc.
  • AvMed, Inc.
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc.
  • Florida Health Care Plan, Inc.
  • Health First Commercial Plans, Inc.
  • Aetna Health, Inc. (Florida)
  • Aetna Life Insurance Company (Florida)
  • Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company - Florida
  • Cigna HealthCare of Florida, Inc.
  • Connecticut General Life Insurance Company - Florida
  • Coventry Health Care of Florida, Inc.
  • Health Options Inc.
  • Humana Medical Plan, Inc. (Florida)
  • Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc.
  • Neighborhood Health Partnership, Inc.
  • United Healthcare Services, Inc. (Florida)
  • UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (Florida)
  • Unitedhealthcare of Florida, Inc.
  • Health First Insurance Inc.

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