Florida health insurance for individuals and families is sold on the federal Marketplace, HealthCare.gov; Florida has no state exchange. Open Enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, so enroll by December 15 for a January 1 start. Florida did not expand Medicaid, so subsidies start at 100% of the poverty level.
Updated October 2026 for the 2027 plan year. Reviewed by Adam Segall, Licensed Insurance Agent (FL Lic #P101968).
Key facts (2027 plan year)
- Florida uses HealthCare.gov; enroll November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, and by December 15, 2026 for coverage on January 1 (HealthCare.gov).
- 4,538,772 Floridians selected a Marketplace plan for 2026, the most of any state (CMS, January 2026).
- Florida is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid (KFF tracker).
- Premium tax credits for 2027 run from $15,960 to $63,840 of income for one person (100%–400% FPL, 2026 HHS guidelines).
- Subsidized Florida KidCare currently ends at 200% FPL; a 2023 law raising it to 300% has not been put into effect (WUSF, July 2026).
- Cigna is leaving Florida’s Marketplace after December 31, 2026 (Healthcare Innovation).
- The 2027 out-of-pocket maximum is $12,000 individual / $24,000 family (HealthCare.gov).
- Which exchange does Florida use?
- Who the Marketplace is for
- How to enroll in Florida
- Open enrollment 2027 in Florida
- Florida Medicaid & KidCare
- 2027 costs & subsidies
- How to find cheap Florida health insurance
- Metal tiers explained
- ACA, alternative & ancillary plans
- How Honesty helps Floridians
- Florida health insurance by city
- Frequently asked questions
Which exchange does Florida use for health insurance?
Florida health insurance is sold through the federally facilitated Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. There is no Florida state-based exchange. Every individual and family plan sold under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Florida is shopped, compared and enrolled through that one federal platform or a licensed partner that connects to it.
Florida leads the nation in Marketplace participation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) counted 4,538,772 plan selections in Florida for the 2026 plan year, more than any other state. You can review official plan and pricing details directly on HealthCare.gov.
People often search for the “Florida health insurance marketplace” or the “Florida medical insurance exchange.” Both mean the same thing: HealthCare.gov, run by the federal government for Florida residents.
Who the Marketplace is for
The Marketplace is built for people who buy their own coverage rather than getting it through a job or a government program. If you are self-employed, between jobs, an early retiree, a gig or seasonal worker, or your employer plan is unaffordable, this is where you shop.
You can enroll if you live in Florida, are a U.S. citizen or lawfully present, and are not incarcerated. You do not need to be sick, and insurers cannot deny you or charge more for a pre-existing condition. Most enrollees also qualify for a premium subsidy that lowers the monthly cost.
Tip: Coverage from the Marketplace is the same quality of plan whether you buy it on your own, through an agent, or with help from an assistant. Your price for an identical plan does not go up for using help.
How to enroll in Florida health insurance
Enrolling in Florida health insurance takes four guided steps. You apply, confirm your subsidy, pick a plan and pay the first premium. Coverage then starts on the first of the following month.
- Gather your details. Have your household size, your best estimate of 2027 income, and everyone who needs coverage ready.
- Apply on the Marketplace. Start at HealthCare.gov or with a licensed helper. Your application checks you for subsidies and for Medicaid or KidCare at the same time.
- Compare plans by your real needs. Weigh the monthly premium against the deductible, the doctors and hospitals in network, and your prescriptions.
- Enroll and pay. Choose your plan and pay the first premium to turn coverage on.
Outside Open Enrollment you generally need a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a life event such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby. In hurricane season, keep your plan ID card and policy number on your phone; losing coverage or moving after a disaster can also open a Special Enrollment Period.
When is open enrollment 2027 in Florida?
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage in Florida runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. Enroll December 16 through January 15 for coverage that starts February 1.
| Date | What it means for Floridians |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment opens; compare and switch 2027 plans |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1, 2027 |
| December 31, 2026 | Last day of Cigna and Sunshine State Health Plan Marketplace coverage |
| January 15, 2027 | Open Enrollment ends; plans picked after December 15 start February 1 |
| After January 15, 2027 | Enroll only with a qualifying life event; Medicaid and KidCare accept applications year-round |
If you want coverage from January 1, treat December 15 as your real deadline. See every date and the full timeline in our Open Enrollment 2027 guide.
Compare every Marketplace plan and your real subsidy in minutes — free and unbiased.
Florida Medicaid and KidCare context
This is where Florida differs from most states. Florida has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA; it is one of 10 states that still have not, according to the KFF expansion tracker. Most non-disabled adults without children have no Medicaid pathway no matter how low their income, and the income limit for parents is far below the poverty line.
That creates the coverage gap: adults who earn too little to get a Marketplace subsidy (under 100% FPL, or $15,960 for one person) but who don’t qualify for Florida Medicaid. If you are near that line, check your numbers carefully, because a small change in estimated income can qualify you for subsidized Marketplace coverage. Apply for Florida Medicaid through ACCESS Florida.
Children: Florida KidCare
Children have a much wider door. Florida KidCare covers kids under 19 through Medicaid for children, MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids and Children’s Medical Services, with low, income-based premiums. Subsidized KidCare currently ends at about 200% of the federal poverty level. A 2023 state law would raise that to 300%, but the state has not put it into effect, and in July 2026 a Tallahassee judge declined to order it. You can check eligibility and apply at the official Florida KidCare site.
Important: When you apply on the Marketplace, your children are screened for KidCare automatically. A family can have the parents on a subsidized Marketplace plan while the kids are covered by KidCare, often the lowest-cost combination.
2027 Florida health insurance costs and subsidies
Florida health insurance costs more than it did a few years ago, and 2027 continues the trend. The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025 and were not extended, so subsidies still exist but are smaller, and the 400% income cliff applies to 2027 coverage. KFF estimated that subsidized enrollees’ premium payments would more than double on average nationwide (about +114%), and insurers proposed a median increase of about 15% for 2027. Florida’s 2027 rates are proposals until state regulators finalize them, so shop rather than auto-renew.
For 2027, the premium tax credit caps what you pay for the benchmark Silver plan at 2.15% to 10.22% of household income, depending on income. Your real Florida number depends on your age, county, household size and income, which is exactly why comparing matters.
| 2027 income reference (subsidy guide) | Approx. annual income |
|---|---|
| Individual: subsidy starts (100% FPL) | ~$15,960 |
| Individual (400% FPL subsidy cliff) | ~$63,840 |
| Couple (400% FPL subsidy cliff) | ~$86,560 |
| Family of 4 (400% FPL subsidy cliff) | ~$132,000 |
| Florida KidCare (children, subsidized) | up to ~200% FPL |
These are general reference points, not quotes. Learn more about what help you can get in our guide to 2027 health insurance subsidies and how dates affect your start date in Open Enrollment 2027.
How do I find cheap Florida health insurance?
The cheapest Florida health insurance for most people is a subsidized Marketplace plan picked for total yearly cost, not the lowest sticker premium. Start with your subsidy, then compare tiers and networks. These steps work without guessing at prices.
- Check KidCare and Medicaid first. Children, pregnant women, people with disabilities and some very low-income parents may qualify for public coverage.
- Get your real subsidy. If your income is between 100% and 400% FPL, the premium tax credit lowers every plan’s price.
- Look at Silver if your income is under 250% FPL. Cost-sharing reductions cut deductibles and copays on Silver plans only.
- Compare HMO and EPO networks. Narrow networks often cost less; just confirm your doctors and hospital are in them.
- Check Catastrophic eligibility. If you are under 30 or have a hardship exemption, a Catastrophic plan may be an option, though it gets no premium tax credit.
Our affordable health insurance in Florida guide goes deeper on savings statewide.
Metal tiers explained
Marketplace plans come in four metal tiers that describe how you and the plan split costs, not the quality of care. A higher tier means a higher premium but less you pay when you use care.
| Tier | Plan pays (avg.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | ~60% | Lowest premium, catastrophic protection |
| Silver | ~70% | Subsidy sweet spot; extra savings if income qualifies |
| Gold | ~80% | Frequent care, steady prescriptions |
| Platinum | ~90% | Highest use, lowest out-of-pocket |
A Catastrophic plan is also available to people under 30 or with a hardship exemption. Picking the right tier is a trade-off between monthly premium and what you pay at the doctor; see how to choose a health plan.
ACA, alternative & ancillary plans
Honesty is a consumer-first marketplace, so it does not stop at ACA plans. It compares ACA, alternative and ancillary plans side by side so Floridians can see the full picture, not just one shelf.
- ACA plans: comprehensive Marketplace coverage with subsidies and guaranteed acceptance.
- Alternative plans: options that may fit specific situations, compared honestly against ACA coverage so you know the trade-offs.
- Ancillary plans: dental, vision, accident and similar add-ons that round out a plan to your family’s needs.
Florida law lets short-term plans run longer than most states allow: a contract must end less than 12 months after it starts, with up to 36 months in total including renewals (Fla. Stat. 627.6426). That is why so many “ACA alternatives” are advertised in Florida. They can still exclude pre-existing conditions and never get subsidies, so read our short-term health insurance guide first.
Not sure where to start? Our overview of the health insurance Marketplace and finding affordable health insurance both walk through the basics.
How Honesty helps Floridians compare and enroll
Honesty®, a licensed AI insurance agent from Honesty® Insurance Services, LLC (NPN 21094885), is on your side: unbiased among carriers because it never earns more by steering you, and biased in your favor because it works for you, not the insurance companies. It compares every Marketplace plan, applies your subsidies, answers any question and can enroll you in minutes.
It is omnichannel, with help 24/7 by chat, voice or text, and it compares based on your family’s actual needs, not a sales quota. Honesty® Insurance Services, LLC is licensed in Florida, so your Florida health insurance guidance is real, compliant and specific to your state.
Privacy first: We never sell or share your data, and there are no spam calls. Your information stays protected with bank-level encryption — the opposite of a typical lead-generation insurance site.
Florida health insurance by city
Networks, hospitals and local help differ a lot from Miami to Pensacola. Our guide to affordable health insurance in Florida covers savings statewide, and these city guides cover local hospitals, clinics and in-person help:
- Health insurance in Miami
- Health insurance in Fort Lauderdale
- Health insurance in Coral Springs
- Health insurance in Boca Raton
- Health insurance in West Palm Beach
- Health insurance in Tampa
- Health insurance in St. Petersburg
- Health insurance in Clearwater
- Health insurance in Sarasota
- Health insurance in Cape Coral
- Health insurance in Fort Myers
- Health insurance in Orlando
- Health insurance in Jacksonville
- Health insurance in Tallahassee
- Health insurance in Pensacola
- Health insurance in Panama City
- Health insurance in Naples
- Health insurance in Daytona Beach
- Health insurance in Gainesville
- Health insurance in Ocala
- Health insurance in Lakeland
Find your 2027 Florida plan the honest way
Compare every ACA, alternative, and ancillary plan, apply your subsidies, and enroll in minutes — free, unbiased, and private. Honesty Is Your Best Policy®.
Florida health insurance FAQ
Does Florida have its own health insurance exchange?
No. Florida uses the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. There is no Florida state-based exchange, so all ACA individual and family plans in the state are enrolled through that federal platform or a licensed partner connected to it.
When is open enrollment 2027 in Florida?
Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027, or December 16 through January 15 for coverage starting February 1. Outside those dates you need a qualifying life event.
Did Florida expand Medicaid?
No. Florida is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Most non-disabled adults without children do not qualify regardless of income, which creates a coverage gap for people who earn too little for subsidies but too much for Florida Medicaid.
Can my kids get coverage if we do not qualify for Medicaid?
Often yes. Florida KidCare covers children under 19 with low, income-based premiums; subsidized coverage currently runs up to about 200% of the federal poverty level. When you apply on the Marketplace, your children are screened for KidCare automatically.
What is the cheapest way to get Florida health insurance?
Check KidCare and Medicaid first, then apply your premium tax credit, compare Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions if your income is under 250% FPL, and look at HMO or EPO networks that include your doctors. Judge plans by total yearly cost, not just the premium.
Are ACA alternatives a good idea in Florida?
Sometimes, for healthy people with a short gap. Florida allows short-term plans for up to 36 months with renewals, but they can exclude pre-existing conditions and never qualify for subsidies. Compare a subsidized ACA plan first.
How much does a Florida Marketplace plan cost in 2027?
It depends on age, county, household and income. The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and insurers nationally proposed a median increase of about 15% for 2027. With a premium tax credit, you pay 2.15% to 10.22% of income for the benchmark Silver plan.
Does it cost more to use Honesty.AI instead of HealthCare.gov?
No. Plan prices are set by insurers and regulated, so an identical plan costs the same whether you enroll yourself or with help. Honesty is unbiased, never sells your data, and never makes spam calls — it simply helps you compare and enroll.
Keep learning: for more on Florida health insurance, explore the health insurance Marketplace, see how to find affordable health insurance, understand your 2027 subsidies, check the Open Enrollment 2027 dates, and learn how to choose a health plan that fits your family.
