Best Health Insurance in Florida • Open Enrollment & Short Term Plans – Benzinga
Want to jump straight to health insurance quotes? Compare here and find the cheapest premium with the best coverage.
Looking for cheap health insurance in Florida before the 2021 Open Enrollment Period for 2022 Marketplace coverage begins? We’ll take a look at how health insurance works in Florida and show you what health insurance covers, what it doesn’t cover and a few of the best companies that provide low-cost plans. Use Benzinga’s guide to learn the ins-and-outs of Florida health insurance and read in-depth provider reviews below.
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Florida uses the federal health insurance Marketplace and also offers Florida Medicaid to eligible residents.
The best Florida health insurance companies according to Benzinga are Aetna, Humana, Florida Blue, Cigna and Pivot Health.
Open Enrollment for Marketplace coverage begin November 1 and ends December 15.
Coverage begins January 1.
Florida allows short-term temporary health insurance plans to be sold and relies on federal guidelines regarding this type of coverage.
Recap – Best Health Insurance in Florida:
Best Overall in Florida: AetnaAffordable Health Insurance in Florida: HumanaBest for Fixed-Incomes: Florida BlueBest for Prescription Coverage: Cigna Best for Short-Term Health Insurance: Pivot Health
Best Florida Health Insurance
Let’s take a look at some of the best providers of cheap health insurance in Florida.
1. Aetna
Aetna is one of the most affordable health insurance plan providers in Florida and offers low-cost individual, family and business plan options.
ACA-approved plans are available for as little as a few hundred dollars a month and makes Aetna one of the best health insurance choices for those living on a budget. Do you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid?
Aetna also offers special low-cost plans for you and even has student health plans available if you attend a two- or four-year university.
# of Healthcare Providers
700k+
1 Minute Review
In the past, Aetna health insurance plans were available on Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces across the country. Though Aetna no longer offers ACA-compliant plans, the company continues to make healthcare more affordable through Medicare Advantage Part D coverage and dental insurance plans.
Aetna’s Medicare options extend to most parts of the country, and premiums for Advantage plans begin at $0 a month. Part D coverage, which helps pay for prescription drugs, begins at about $7 a month in most states. Additionally, Aetna offers dental insurance and dental discount plan options that anyone who doesn’t have dental coverage through their employer can take advantage of. In addition, Aetna also offers a number of additional benefits not seen with other coverage providers, including discounts on prescription drugs and rewards for meeting health goals.
Pros
Offers multiple mobile app offerings to reward you for reaching fitness goals
Dental discount plans may include coverage for prescription drugs
Medicare Advantage plans available with no monthly premiums
Cons
Vision insurance only available when purchased with a dental plan
ACA-compliant health insurance no longer available
2. Humana Health Insurance Florida
Humana offers both HMO and POS plans in Florida at competitive rates. Plans from Humana are also some of the lowest if you’re over the age of 45. Some of Humana’s most affordable plans also include home health care, a rare addition to ACA-required plans. Medicare plans are also available for those who qualify.
# of Healthcare Providers
N/A
1 Minute Review
It isn’t easy to choose a health insurance company. You want to ensure you select the best carrier that will offer you the ultimate protection and has an excellent reputation within the industry. With annual revenue in the billions, Louisville, Kentucky-based Humana Health Insurance Co. is one of the largest health insurance carriers in the U.S. and offers coverage for millions of people. Humana is available in all 50 states and sells individual insurance, Medicare plans and group health insurance plans to businesses.
Best For
People ages 65 and older and looking to enroll in Medicare
Extras such as dental and vision coverage
Free fitness program
A business of any size
Pros
Partnerships with Walgreens and Walmart to bring you expanded prescription drug coverage
Rewards for healthy habits
Large provider network
Cons
HMO plans only available in 22 of 50 states
No short-term plans offered
Costlier plan required if you need international coverage
3. Florida Blue Health Insurance
Florida Blue is a subsidiary of Blue Cross, a nationwide health care provider. Florida Blue offers PPO plans, which give you the most freedom to choose your doctors and health care service providers.
This can be beneficial if you have a chronic condition or longstanding relationship with a health care provider and you don’t want to begin treatment with a new doctor.
Florida Blue offers subsidiaries to help you reduce the cost of health care if you’re living on a fixed income.
Best For
Nationwide coverage
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# of Healthcare Providers
28k+
1 Minute Review
Blue Cross Blue Shield consists of 35 separate companies that provide health insurance for roughly one-third of Americans. The company serves all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and many international areas.
While you look into the BCBS affiliates near you, understand what health plans are available as well as the health insurance cost. It offers extensive coverage that gives just about every American the opportunity to purchase a BCBS-affiliated health plan. However, be sure to read up on the company because the premiums and deductibles may not suit you and your circumstances.
Best For
Desire for a new doctor with plenty of options
No cap on annual maximum limits
Comprehensive coverage with exclusive discounts and partnerships
Pros
Coverage in all 50 states and outside the country
Covers both generic and brand-name drugs
Wide network of doctors, hospitals and specialists
Cons
Plans offered through regional companies, meaning you must look to your regional company for specific policies
Main customer service helpline may be difficult to reach
4. Cigna Health Insurance Florida
Cigna’s health care plans are affordable and include all ACA-compliant benefits. Four out of 5 people who choose a Cigna plan qualify for some sort of federal subsidy to lower their premium.
Cigna plans include free preventive care — you’ll pay nothing for medically necessary vaccinations, health screenings and even some preventive prescription drugs.
You can even unlock discounts on gym memberships, health clubs and more to help you maintain your health.
Best For
Pharmacy programs
# of Healthcare Providers
875k+
1 Minute Review
Cigna Health Insurance offers low-cost private health insurance and Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans for families and individuals. Founded in 1982 and based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, the company offers a wide array of health insurance plans including three Bronze plans, four Silver and one Gold. All Cigna plans are EPO plans, meaning they are all in-network. Free telehealth visits come with every plan and are available to customers 24/7.
The four-metal tier coverage plans include:
Bronze
Expanded bronze
Silver
Gold
Individual and family Cigna private insurance plans are all available on the Marketplace and through the Cigna website, as well as with licensed agents in each state. Because they are sold through the Marketplace, they can only be purchased during your state’s open enrollment period. Special enrollment periods apply for special circumstances.
Best For
Easy access to benefits
Pharmacy programs
Savings and spending accounts such as HSA and FSA
Supplemental plans
Pros
Home delivery for prescriptions
Health management mobile apps
Easy ID card replacement
Cons
Potentially high deductibles
Not available in all 50 states
5. Pivot Health Insurance Florida
Uninsured and living in Florida? Hesitant about buying an ACA plan or need coverage in between enrollment periods. A short-term health insurance plan from Pivot Health may be your answer.
With a short-term health insurance plan, there are both pros and cons. A major pro is affordability — many temporary plans have cheaper premiums than regular coverage. But this type of coverage isn’t ACA-compliant, meaning these plans may offer less coverage, less benefits and lower annual maximums.
If you lost your job and benefits, or recently retired and have a gap between now and your Medicare coverage, this type of plan may be a solid alternative for you. The same goes for recent Florida transplants from another state, young adults whose parental coverage recently ended and so forth. Before you buy, there are some things to consider when it comes to temporary health insurance in Florida.
Short-term policy terms range from 30 to 364 days in the Sunshine StateYou can renew your plan up to 36 monthsYou can buy at any time — there’s no enrollment periods With Pivot Health, you can get coverage as soon as the next day after applyingNo network restrictions
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Comparing short term health plans
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Disclosure: Availability of plans and policy duration vary by state.
# of Healthcare Providers
Wide range of providers
1 Minute Review
Pivot Health is your partner in big life changes that may require you to seek temporary health insurance.
Pivot Health can help you find short term health plans, supplemental insurance products and more. Compare plans from multiple providers and get insurance that fits your needs today.
Best For
Comparing short term health plans from multiple providers
Pros
Work with the most trusted short term health plan providers
No network restrictions
Telemedicine coverage
Cons
Plans not available in every state
Types of Health Insurance Plans
There are multiple types of health insurance plans. The type of plan you choose will dictate how much you pay, whether you need a referral to see a specialist and which health care providers you may see. Let’s go over the 3 most common types of health insurance plans: HMOs, PPOs and POS plans.
Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans: HMO plans require that you only see doctors, specialists and care providers within the organization’s network. You cannot see any health care providers outside of the network and you must get a referral to see a specialist. HMOs are the most affordable type of plan, but they give you the least amount of freedom to choose which care providers you see.Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans: PPO plans offer a network of doctors and specialists but do not require that you see them. You’ll pay an additional fee if you see a health care provider outside of your network. You don’t need a referral to see a specialist with a PPO plan. PPO plans are usually more expensive than HMO plans.Point-of-service (POS) plans: POS plans are a mix between an HMO and a PPO. You can see doctors and specialists out of your network with a POS plan — like a PPO. However, you’ll still need a doctor’s referral to see a specialist like you would with an HMO. POS plans can allow you to see the care providers you want with lower rates than PPOs.
Short-Term Health Insurance Florida
Federal regulations regarding short-term temporary health insurance apply in Florida as they do not have state regulations on this matter.
This means that insurers can offer plans with terms of 364 days or less with up to 3 renewals totaling 36 months. Short-terms health insurance plans are not considered ACA-compliant and therefore may not offer the same benefits and coverage. Be sure to do your research before signing up for a temporary health insurance plan.
Florida Health Insurance Marketplace
Florida doesn’t have its own state marketplace and relies on the federally run Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Typically, using the marketplace and enrolling through Healthcare.gov is best for those who don’t have employer-sponsored coverage, such as the self-employed, retired people who aren’t eligible for Medicare or low income residents looking for financial support for their individual health insurance.
As of 2021, more than 2 million people are enrolled in coverage through the Florida health insurance marketplace during Open Enrollment and the American Rescue Plan Special Enrollment Period, which was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are Open Enrollment Dates for Florida Marketplace Coverage?
Open Enrollment begins Monday, November 1Must enroll by December 15Coverage begins January 1If you need coverage for the rest of the year, you may try to enroll through a Special Enrollment Period or apply for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
What Does Health Insurance Cover?
Every health insurance plan could essentially include or exclude any type of coverage they wanted before the introduction of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA). This made it incredibly tedious to compare plans because there was little standard of coverage between dozens of options. Now the ACA dictates that every permanent health insurance plan must include at least the following ten “essential benefits”:
Ambulatory patient services: This is outpatient care that you receive outside of a hospital.Emergency services: Your health insurance provider must cover emergency care at any hospital, regardless of whether the hospital is in-network or not. Similarly, your health insurance provider cannot require you to contact the hospital prior to receiving emergency care. You should visit the closest hospital to you in a true emergency.Hospitalization: This includes things like overnight stays and prescription drugs administered by a doctor or nurse as well as surgeries.Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care: This includes care before birth and after birth. It also includes labor and pregnancy complications.Mental health and substance use treatments: Your health insurance provider must offer coverage for behavioral therapy, inpatient mental health services and treatment for substance use. Your health insurance provider cannot put an annual or lifetime limit on treatment for a particular disorder or substance use issue.Prescription drugs: Though health insurance providers cannot exclude coverage for prescription drugs, they may require you to try less expensive generic treatments before going onto more expensive or habit-forming medications. This is called “step therapy.”Rehabilitative services and devices: This includes things like physical therapy, occupational therapy and mobility devices.Laboratory services: This includes both outpatient bloodwork and imaging that you receive in a medical facility or hospital (like x-rays or upper GI scans).Preventive services and wellness screenings: This includes things like physicals, vaccinations and booster shots. Many health insurance plan providers offer these services for free.Pediatric services: Health insurance plan providers must offer health, vision and dental services to children on your plan. However, vision and dental benefits aren’t ACA requirements for adult plans. You may be able to purchase add-on plans through your insurance provider.
Your plan must also include the following benefits for women:
Breastfeeding support: This includes counseling and equipment for nursing mothers.Birth control: ACA-compliant plans must include prescribed FDA-approved contraceptive methods. This includes emergency contraceptives but does not include drugs intended to terminate an already viable pregnancy.
Your employer may be exempt from covering certain contraceptives if you work for a house of worship or a religious non-profit.
What Does Health Insurance Not Cover?
Most health insurance plans don’t cover the following benefits:
Male birth control: Barrier methods and vasectomies are not covered under most plans because only female birth control is considered an essential benefit.Travel vaccinations: Your insurance provider must cover routine, medically necessary vaccinations only. Travel vaccinations are usually seen as elective prevention and not covered under most plans.Vision and dental coverages: Insurance providers are only required to cover these services for children on your plan. If you want adult coverage, consider buying an add-on plan.Weight loss surgery: There is no federal mandate that requires insurance providers to cover bariatric surgery. However, many insurance providers elect to include this coverage. If you or someone on your plan may need bariatric surgery, be sure to consult your representative and make sure it’s covered before you enroll.Cosmetic surgery: No type of health insurance plan covers cosmetic surgery because these procedures aren’t medically necessary.
Unless a particular treatment is an essential benefit, most insurance providers won’t cover it. These are just a few examples of treatments and services that aren’t usually covered. If you’re concerned about coverage for a particular treatment or service, contact your health insurance provider and inquire about it.
Protect Your Health Affordably
Choosing a health insurance plan prior to the ACA meant endlessly comparing plans and reading about what’s covered and what isn’t. Now, permanent health insurance plans must offer at least the ACA’s 10 minimum essential benefits. However, this regulation only applies to ACA-compliant plans. Make sure you thoroughly read what’s covered and what isn’t before you choose a short term health insurance plan or a gap coverage plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida have free health insurance?
1
Does Florida have free health insurance?
asked 2022-03-09
Janet Hunt, Insurance Agent
1
Yes, Florida has a Florida Medicaid program which is free health insurance. This is a federal and state-funded health insurance program for eligible residents, which may include low-income residents, those unable to work and the working poor.
Answer Link
answered 2022-03-09
Benzinga
What is the income limit for Florida Medicaid?
1
What is the income limit for Florida Medicaid?
asked 2022-03-09
Janet Hunt, Insurance Agent
1
The income limit for Florida medicaid depends on your household size. Income limits range from $17,131 before taxes for a household of 1 to $59,398 before taxes for a household of 8 according to benefits.gov. For households larger than 8, add $6,038 per additional person. Note: these guidelines may change.
Answer Link
answered 2022-03-09
Benzinga
Is Florida healthcare expensive?
1
Is Florida healthcare expensive?
asked 2022-03-09
Janet Hunt, Insurance Agent
1
The cost of Florida healthcare depends on the plan, insurer, the insured party and more. Overall, Florida’s population tends to skew older, so premiums may be higher for these individuals and tip the scales towards more expensive. But low income families, seniors and more can apply for free or reduced healthcare coverage through a wide variety of government-funded programs.
Answer Link
answered 2022-03-09
Benzinga
