By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Media Begin Focus on Next Iteration of ACA
    December 13, 2012
    Washington State Care
    Using Homecare for Positive Change in Healthcare
    August 14, 2017
    Do Electronic Health Records Reduce Malpractice Claims?
    February 2, 2013
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What Steps Do You Take to Enroll in Florida Health Insurance?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health care > What Steps Do You Take to Enroll in Florida Health Insurance?
Health carePolicy & Law

What Steps Do You Take to Enroll in Florida Health Insurance?

Rehan
Rehan
Share
8 Min Read
health insurance florida
Shutterstock Photo License - By Niyazz
SHARE

Residents of the Sunshine State can enroll in a variety of health insurance plans if they purchase healthcare policies on their own. The most common is a comprehensive Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plan from HealthCare.gov, website entities, private insurance companies.

Contents
  • Affordable Care Act in Florida
  • Medicare in Florida
  • Medicaid and CHIP
  • Short-Term Health Insurance in Florida

Some carriers offer access to licensed insurance agents who can help enroll you over the phone, or you can buy directly online. If you need extra assistance, federal navigators may offer office appointments to get you enrolled in person.

Florida health insurance can be purchased during the Open Enrollment Period each year between Nov. 1-Jan. 15. Special Open Enrollment periods are available when you have a specific life situation that changes your health insurance status or if the federal government declares a special enrollment period. 

What Are Your Options for Florida Health Insurance?

More Read

healthcare data release
Data Alone Does Not Make Health Care Pricing Meaningful
Social Media and Doctors: Q&A with Doximity CEO Jeff Tangney
Drug Take-Back Day: April 27
Could New Chronic Care Treatments Help Manage Your Arthritis?
Health Insurance Benefits: Can You Have It Your Way?

Affordable Care Act in Florida

Today, there are at least seven different insurance carriers offering Florida health insurance ACA plans. ACA plans (or Obamacare) come with ten essential benefits required by the law.

There are several different types of health insurance people can get in Florida.

Obamacare plans are tiered by “metal” level. Bronze plans are the most affordable, and Platinum plans are the most expensive. Bronze plans pay 60% of medical services, while the Platinum plans pay 90% of services after reaching your annual deductible.

A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before your insurance company begins paying for the most coverage. ACA plans also offer you the opportunity to apply for a tax subsidy to lower the cost of health insurance. If you don’t qualify, you can look for additional policy options on the private marketplace.

Medicare in Florida

Medicare is for individuals 65 and older, although some people with disabilities can qualify before age 65. Medicare is a federal program that pays for approximately 80% of medical care and treatments.

You can add a Medicare supplement policy to help fill in the 20% coverage gap. You can also enroll in Medicare Advantage, which adjusts pricing based on income and includes extra coverage like dental, vision, and prescription drugs.

Medicaid and CHIP

Medicaid is health insurance coverage for eligible low-income adults, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by Florida according to federal regulations and funded by both state and federal entities.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in the state is Florida KidCare. CHIP is Medicaid that cares for medical needs from birth to the end of 18 years of age. 

To be eligible for Medicaid, you must be a Florida resident, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income. You must also be:

  • Pregnant
  • Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger
  • Blind
  • Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability

You can also be 65 or older to qualify. To do so, your income cannot exceed $17,131 before taxes. This number increases based on household size.

Short-Term Health Insurance in Florida

Short-term health insurance is temporary medical coverage for when you’re in between more permanent health insurance. Prices are affordable but can have higher deductibles than ACA plans. They don’t cover preexisting conditions, and many don’t offer coverage for preventive care. 

Health Insurance Costs in Florida

Affordable Care Act: The average price for an unsubsidized ACA health plan in Florida is $449 per month, which has dipped every year since 2018. 

Medicare: The base rate for Medicare Part B is $148.50. However, costs vary based on your income and the plan selected. However, if you’re interested in learning about the cost of Medicare services for your specific situation, we recommend speaking to an insurance agent. 

Medicaid: Florida KidCare includes free, subsidized, and full-pay options based on total household income and family size. Costs range from $0 a month to up to $20 a month for all children in one household. Families who do not qualify for free or subsidized coverage can purchase an affordable full-pay plan.

Short-Term Health Insurance: For a 30-year-old woman in Florida, plans can run between $92 per month to nearly $600, depending on the level of coverage. Age, ZIP code and gender all play a factor in final rates.

Enrolling in Florida Health Insurance

Here are some specifics for enrolling in Florida health insurance:

Affordable Care Act

You can sign up for ACA plans online, over the phone, or in person. You can also apply for a financial subsidy online. Create an account at HealthCare.gov to see how much you can save with a tax subsidy.

If you don’t qualify for a subsidy, you can buy health plans online from a private marketplace or directly from a health insurance company. Contact a licensed agent from the website or from your area to learn what options are the best for your life situation. 

If you want to speak with someone in person, consider scheduling time with an ACA plan Navigator or a licensed agent.

Medicare

If you qualify for Medicare, you can get started at Medicare.gov. If you desire Medicare Advantage or want to add a supplemental plan to your Original Medicare coverage, you can reach out to a private health insurance carrier or insurance agent to learn more.

Medicaid and CHIP

You can access the Agency for Health Care Administration for Medicaid (AHCA) to learn more about starting an online application or getting help with other community programs in person.

Short-Term Health Insurance

Short-term medical plans are purchased from private health insurance carriers online. You will want to do your research about what they cover, as sometimes health insurance won’t cover car accidents or similar causes of injury.

Next Steps

Applying for a health insurance plan can feel overwhelming. However, take the time to investigate. You can ultimately 1) qualify for a subsidy for an ACA plan, 2) qualify for Medicaid benefits due to a lower household income, 3) qualify for Medicare because you are turning 65 years old, or 4) benefit from a temporary short-term plan while deciding on a permanent policy.

If you take your time and do your research, you could find the best plan for your wallet and coverage needs.

Bio: Colleen McGuire is an independent consultant who has spent most of her career writing about healthcare and the health insurance industry. For fun she blogs, travels and takes a lot of pictures along the way.

TAGGED:health insurancehealth insurance costshealth insurance tips
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025
engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

mental health care access for veterans
Policy & LawPublic Health

Do Veterans Have Timely Access to Mental Health Care?

November 7, 2013
Image
Public Health

Be Aware Before You Go to the Hospital

January 4, 2013

Blogging for National Healthcare Decisions Day: A Rally for Our Loved Ones and Ourselves

April 16, 2012

Aetna CEO Imagines Near Future When Health Insurers Aren’t Middlemen

October 17, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?