If you live or run a business in Miami and you want a real person to shop every health plan for you, explain it in plain English, and stay in your corner at renewal and claim time, that is exactly what a health insurance broker does — and it costs you nothing extra. My name is Bernie Sobalvarro. I am a licensed independent broker (NPN# 19189235), I serve Miami and all of Florida, and I help people here find private PPO, ACA marketplace, and supplemental coverage that fits their life and their budget.
I am based just up the road in Plantation, and I work with Miami clients both in person and remotely — by phone, video, or email, whatever is easiest for you. You get the same hands-on help whether you are in Brickell, Hialeah, or Homestead.
What a Miami health insurance broker actually does for you
A broker is not the same as calling an insurance company directly. The company on the phone can only sell you their own plans. I am independent, so I compare plans from many carriers side by side and recommend the one that is genuinely best for you — not the one that pays the most.
Here is what that looks like in practice: I learn your situation, check that your doctors and hospitals are in the network before you sign anything, find out if you qualify for a subsidy that lowers your monthly premium, handle the enrollment paperwork with you, and then I am still here when you have a billing question or it is time to renew. My help is free because the insurance carrier pays me, not you. You never pay more by using a broker.
Neighborhoods and areas I serve around Miami
I work with clients across all of Miami-Dade, including Brickell, Downtown, Little Havana, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Wynwood, Doral, Kendall, Westchester, Pinecrest, Miami Beach, Aventura, Hialeah, and Homestead. If you are in greater Miami, I can help — and because I am licensed in 31 states, I can keep helping you even if you move or do business across state lines.
Know your Miami hospitals and networks before you enroll
The single most common mistake I see in Miami is someone picking a cheap plan online, then learning their doctor or hospital is not in the network. Miami has some of the best care in the country — Baptist Health South Florida, Jackson Health System, the University of Miami Health System (UHealth), Mount Sinai Medical Center on Miami Beach, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for kids. But which of these are in-network depends entirely on the carrier and the specific plan you choose.
Before you enroll, I check that the doctors, specialists, and hospital you actually use are covered. That one step saves Miami families thousands of dollars a year in surprise out-of-network bills.
Coverage for Miami’s self-employed and 1099 workers
Miami runs on independent workers — real estate agents, rideshare and delivery drivers, restaurant and hospitality staff, import-export and trade, freelancers and content creators, salon owners, and small construction crews. If you do not have an employer plan, you are not stuck. You usually have two strong paths: an ACA marketplace plan (where a subsidy can cut your premium dramatically based on your income) or a private PPO with a broader network and more flexibility. I help you compare both honestly. You can read more on my guide to health insurance for the self-employed in Florida, and see your individual and family options on my personal and family coverage page.
Small business owners in Miami
If you employ a handful of people in Miami, offering health benefits is one of the best ways to keep good workers — and it can be more affordable than owners expect. I help small businesses compare group plans and decide whether group coverage or helping employees buy their own plan makes more sense. Start on my small business coverage page.
A real example
Last year a real estate agent in Doral called me in a panic — she had been on a COBRA plan after leaving a brokerage and was paying close to $700 a month. She thought that was just what coverage cost. We looked at her actual income, found she qualified for a marketplace subsidy, and got her onto a PPO that kept her doctor at Baptist for about $310 a month. Same level of care, less than half the price. That is the kind of thing a broker catches that a website usually will not.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost more to use a broker in Miami?
No. My services are free to you. The insurance carrier pays the broker, so your premium is the same whether you use me or sign up on your own — you just get expert help along the way.
Can I switch plans outside open enrollment?
Often yes. Life events like losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby open a special enrollment window. Call me and I will tell you in two minutes whether you qualify.
Do you only help people in Miami?
No — I serve all of Florida and am licensed in 31 states. Miami clients are a big part of my work, but I can help wherever you are. You can find more answers on my FAQ page.
Let’s find your plan
If you want a straight answer about your best health insurance options in Miami, let’s talk. There is no cost and no pressure. Book a free quote call here or call me directly at (305) 900-5903. I will shop the plans, you make the call.
