Private health insurance in Florida

Private medical insurance options in Florida

Private medical insurance can mean comprehensive coverage for you or your family, a plan purchased directly from an insurance company, temporary short-term coverage, or supplemental benefits. Start with what you need the coverage to do.

Good to know: Marketplace plans come from private insurance companies too. A plan purchased outside the Marketplace may still meet ACA standards. Short-term and supplemental plans work differently and are not replacements for comprehensive health insurance.
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Which type of coverage may fit your needs?

These options are not interchangeable. Choose the type that matches what you need, then compare the benefits, costs, network, and limitations of each available plan.

Individual and family health insurance

ACA plans provide comprehensive major-medical coverage and are offered by private insurance companies. Some are available through the Marketplace, directly from the insurance company, or both. Income-based savings are available only through the Marketplace and depend on your application.

See Florida ACA health insurance options

Short-term medical coverage

Short-term medical is designed for a temporary gap. It may ask health questions and may not cover pre-existing conditions or some types of care. It is not a replacement for comprehensive health insurance. Check the policy term, benefits, exclusions, and start date before applying.

Learn about short-term medical coverage

Supplemental health insurance

Hospital indemnity, fixed indemnity, accident, critical-illness, and specified-disease policies provide benefits for certain covered events or services. They do not replace comprehensive health insurance.

Learn about supplemental insurance

Coverage through work, school, travel, or Medicare

You may also be looking for employer coverage, COBRA, a student or association plan, travel or international medical coverage, Medicare Advantage, or Medigap. Each has its own eligibility and enrollment rules.

Get help after losing coverage or get Medicare help.

Where should you start?

  1. If you need coverage for doctors, prescriptions, emergencies, and ongoing care, begin with comprehensive ACA coverage.
  2. If your current coverage is ending, check whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and compare COBRA before relying on temporary coverage.
  3. If you already have comprehensive coverage and want additional help with certain hospital, accident, or illness costs, look at supplemental insurance separately.
  4. If you want a PPO, verify both the provider network and the type of coverage. “PPO” alone does not tell you whether a plan is comprehensive.

Some health care arrangements are not insurance

Health care sharing arrangements, medical discount plans, and direct primary care agreements may help with certain bills or services, but they are not health insurance and do not provide the same protections as comprehensive coverage.

Common questions about private health insurance

Are HealthCare.gov plans private insurance?

Yes. Private insurance companies offer plans through HealthCare.gov. If you qualify for income-based financial help, you can receive it only through the Marketplace.

Can I buy ACA-compliant coverage outside HealthCare.gov?

Possibly. Some individual major-medical plans purchased directly from an insurance company still meet ACA standards. Other plans sold outside the Marketplace may be short-term or limited-benefit coverage. Check the plan type and Summary of Benefits and Coverage before enrolling.

What should I know about short-term medical insurance?

Short-term medical insurance is temporary coverage. It may ask health questions, exclude pre-existing conditions, or leave out certain types of care. Read the policy term, exclusions, limits, and start date before applying.

Does a PPO mean the plan is comprehensive?

No. PPO describes how a provider network works. A PPO can be part of different kinds of coverage, so check whether the plan is comprehensive, short-term, group, or supplemental and whether it is available in your ZIP code.