Health insurance in Florida really comes down to three paths: a plan you buy yourself on the ACA marketplace, a private PPO you get through a broker, or a group plan through a small business. If you're under 65 and don't get coverage at work, the marketplace is usually the starting point because income-based discounts can cut the price a lot — but families who want bigger doctor networks, and self-employed folks who want more control, often do better with a private PPO. This guide walks through every option, what it costs in 2026, and how to pick the right one.
I'm Bernie Sobalvarro. I run Sobal Nationwide Health out of Plantation, Florida, and I help Floridians sort through exactly this every day. No jargon — just the plain version.
Who this guide is for
This is for Floridians under 65: individuals, families, freelancers and 1099 workers, and small business owners. If you're on Medicare or about to be, this isn't the right page — the rules there are completely different. Everyone else, keep reading.
The main ways to get covered in Florida
There are four buckets most people fall into. Here's how they compare at a glance:
| Option | Best for | Networks | Cost before help |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACA Marketplace (Obamacare) | Most individuals & families, especially if income qualifies for subsidies | Usually HMO / EPO | Lower after subsidies |
| Private PPO | Self-employed, frequent travelers, anyone wanting a big doctor network | Wide PPO | Mid–higher; no subsidies |
| Small-business group plan | Owners with 1+ W-2 employees | HMO or PPO | Shared with the business |
| Supplemental (dental, accident, critical illness) | Filling gaps on top of a main plan | N/A | Low add-on cost |
Most people end up with one main plan plus maybe a supplemental piece. The trick is matching the plan type to how you actually use doctors.
What health insurance costs in Florida in 2026
Honest answer: it depends on your age, county, income, and how big a network you want. As a rough 2026 ballpark before any subsidies, a single 40-year-old often sees marketplace plans in the $450–$700 a month range, and a family of four lands closer to $1,400–$2,000+ a month. Private PPOs sit in a similar-to-higher range because the networks are wider.
But almost nobody pays the sticker price on the marketplace, which brings us to the part most Floridians miss.
Subsidies: the part most people leave on the table
The ACA marketplace offers income-based discounts (premium tax credits) that lower your monthly bill. A lot of Floridians assume they earn too much to qualify — and a lot of them are wrong. I've seen self-employed clients who expected to pay $600 a month end up at $150 or less once we ran their real numbers. Eligibility and the size of the discount change year to year, so the only way to know your real price is to have someone run a live quote with your actual income. That's free, and it's exactly what I do.
If you're self-employed or 1099
When there's no employer plan, you have two strong choices: an ACA marketplace plan (great if your income qualifies for subsidies) or a private PPO (great if you want a wide network and predictable doctor access). Self-employed Floridians can often deduct their premiums too. I go deeper on this in my guide to health insurance for the self-employed in Florida.
If you're covering a family
Families care most about two things: keeping their pediatrician and specialists in-network, and not getting wrecked by a huge deductible. The right move is usually to start from your doctors and work backward to the plan — not the other way around. See my personal & family coverage page for how I help families do this.
If you own a small business
If you have even one W-2 employee, a small-group plan can be a smart way to offer coverage and split the cost — and it can be a real hiring advantage. Owners with no employees usually do better on an individual plan. My small business page breaks down the options.
When can you actually enroll?
Open enrollment for 2026 marketplace plans ran November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026. Since that window has closed, you'll generally need a qualifying life event to enroll now — things like losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby open a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Private and supplemental plans often don't follow the same calendar, so if you've missed open enrollment, don't assume you're stuck. Call and we'll check what you qualify for today.
A real example
Last year a freelance graphic designer in Broward County called me convinced she couldn't afford coverage — she'd seen a $580 quote online and given up. We ran her actual 1099 income through the marketplace, applied the subsidy she didn't know she qualified for, and matched her to a plan that kept her two doctors in-network. Her real cost: about $190 a month. She'd been going uninsured for a year over a number that was never her real number.
Bernie's quick checklist for choosing
- List your must-keep doctors first. The plan has to fit them, not the reverse.
- Know your real income. It decides your subsidy — and your real price.
- Decide how much network you need. Stay-local? HMO is fine. Travel or want flexibility? Lean PPO.
- Look at the deductible, not just the premium. A cheap premium with a $9,000 deductible can be the expensive choice.
- Get a human to run it. A broker costs you nothing extra and catches the discounts the website hides.
Frequently asked questions
Is Obamacare the same as the marketplace?
Yes. "Obamacare," "the ACA," and "the marketplace" all refer to plans bought through HealthCare.gov, which is what Florida uses.
Do I have to pay a broker?
No. Brokers like me are paid by the insurance company, so my help and the quotes are free to you — and the plan doesn't cost more by going through me.
I missed open enrollment. Am I out of luck?
Not necessarily. A qualifying life event can open a Special Enrollment Period, and private or supplemental plans may be available year-round. Worth a quick call to check.
Can I keep my doctors?
Often yes — but it depends on the plan's network. That's exactly the kind of thing I check before you enroll. For more, see my FAQ page.
Ready to find your real number?
Stop guessing from online sticker prices. I'll run your actual situation, find any discounts you qualify for, and show you what coverage really costs — for free. Book a quick quote call here or call me directly at (305) 900-5903. I'm licensed in Florida and 31 states, and I'd be glad to help.
