Florida has been the single largest destination state for domestic migration in the United States for several years running. People relocate to Florida from the Northeast, Midwest, and across the country — drawn by the climate, the tax environment, and the cost of living relative to states like New York and California. That migration pattern has made Florida the third-largest state by population, and it continues to grow.

What many new Florida residents discover only after arriving is that their health insurance coverage from their previous state does not follow them. An ACA marketplace plan from New York, Illinois, or California is geographically restricted to that state's network. An employer plan may have a nationwide network — or it may not. Either way, relocating to Florida requires you to actively address your health insurance situation, and quickly.

This guide explains exactly how Florida's health insurance marketplace works in 2026, how your relocation triggers a Special Enrollment Period, what you need to enroll, and how to choose between Florida's HMO and PPO plan options.

Moving to Florida Triggers a Special Enrollment Period

Under ACA rules, moving to a new state that gives you access to new health insurance options is a qualifying life event (QLE) that opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. This SEP allows you to enroll in a Florida ACA marketplace plan outside of the standard November–January Open Enrollment window.

The Key Requirements for the Move SEP

The relocation SEP is not automatic — it has specific requirements that must be met:

• Interstate move: You must be moving from another state to Florida. Moving between counties within Florida does not qualify as a move SEP, though it may allow you to change plans within Florida.
• Prior qualifying coverage: You must have had qualifying health coverage for at least one day in the 60 days before your move. This prevents the move SEP from being used to gain coverage after an extended uninsured period. Coverage from an employer plan, Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, or another ACA marketplace plan all count.
• Establishing Florida residence: You must actually establish Florida as your primary residence. A vacation home or second home typically does not qualify.
• 60-day window: The SEP window is 60 days from the date you establish Florida residency — generally the date you move, not the date you begin planning.

You can also begin the enrollment process up to 60 days before your move if you know your move date. This allows you to have Florida coverage in place the day you arrive rather than having to manage enrollment after the move.

How Florida's ACA Marketplace Differs From Other States

If you are moving from a state with its own health insurance exchange — California (Covered California), New York (NY State of Health), Massachusetts (Health Connector), Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado), and about a dozen others — Florida's setup will be different in one important way: Florida uses the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov.

Florida chose not to build a state-based exchange when the ACA was implemented, and that decision has never changed. All enrollment, plan comparison, subsidy calculations, and account management for Florida ACA plans happen at healthcare.gov — there is no separate Florida-specific enrollment website.

No Medicaid Expansion

The other critical difference from many states people move from: Florida has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. States like New York, California, and most of the Northeast and Midwest expanded Medicaid to cover adults up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. Florida did not.

Florida Medicaid for non-disabled adults without dependent children has extremely narrow eligibility — effectively near zero income. This creates what policy researchers call the "coverage gap": Floridians whose income is below 100% FPL do not qualify for ACA subsidies (which start at 100% FPL) but also do not qualify for Florida Medicaid. If you are moving from an expansion state and your income is low, this is a critical difference to understand before you arrive.

How to Enroll After Moving to Florida — Step by Step

1. Create or log into your HealthCare.gov account If you enrolled in another state's marketplace through HealthCare.gov (most federal exchange states), you may have an existing account. Update your state to Florida. If you enrolled through a state-based exchange (California, New York, etc.), you will need to create a new HealthCare.gov account since those are separate systems.
2. Report a life change — select "Moved to a new area" In your HealthCare.gov account, go to "Report a Life Change" and select the option for moving to a new area. Enter your new Florida address and your move date. The system will recognize the state change as a qualifying event and open the SEP.
3. Update your household information and income If your income or household situation changed with the move (a new job in Florida, a different household composition), update those details now. Florida's available plans and subsidy amounts are specific to your county of residence — the marketplace will show you plans available in your specific Florida county.
4. Compare available Florida plans Florida has a competitive marketplace with multiple major carriers depending on your county. Compare plans at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers. If you qualify for subsidies, Silver plans often offer the best value with cost-sharing reductions. Pay careful attention to the provider network — networks vary significantly between plans.
5. Select your plan and pay your first premium Once you select a plan, your coverage start date will typically be the first of the month following enrollment (or the first of the month of your move if you enroll quickly). Pay your first premium immediately — coverage does not start until the first payment is received by the insurer.
6. Set up your new Florida provider relationships After your Florida plan is active, establish care with in-network Florida providers. Verify that any specialists you need are in your new plan's network before scheduling appointments.

What Documentation You Need for the Move SEP

HealthCare.gov may ask you to verify your move with documentation. Having these documents ready before you begin enrollment will speed up the process. Acceptable documentation typically includes:

The most practical approach is to use your signed lease or purchase contract along with a utility bill or bank statement showing the Florida address. If you can get your Florida driver's license updated quickly, that is typically the strongest single document.

If You Had Coverage in Your Previous State

Understanding how your old coverage interacts with your new Florida enrollment is important to avoid either a coverage gap or paying for overlapping coverage.

ACA Marketplace Plans From Another State

If you had an ACA marketplace plan from your previous state, that plan is geographically restricted. Once you establish Florida residency, providers in Florida are almost certainly out-of-network for your old plan. Emergency care may be covered, but routine care will not be. You need to enroll in a Florida plan and cancel your old plan — HealthCare.gov will help you coordinate the timing when you report your move.

Employer-Sponsored Coverage

If you are keeping the same employer and they offer a national network plan (common with large employers using PPO or national HMO networks), your coverage may work in Florida. Call your insurer before the move to confirm Florida providers are in-network. If your employer plan is a regional HMO centered on your previous state, you likely need to transition to a Florida plan.

If you are leaving your employer entirely to move to Florida, you may elect COBRA to continue your old employer coverage for up to 18 months — but at full cost. In most cases, a Florida marketplace plan with subsidies will be significantly less expensive. Review our guide to changing health insurance mid-year in Florida for transition strategies.

Florida Medicaid Eligibility for New Residents

As noted, Florida has not expanded Medicaid. For new Florida residents, this means:

Florida Medicaid income thresholds for reference in 2026:

• Adults with children (parents): Up to approximately 35–40% FPL (one of the most restrictive in the nation)
• Pregnant women: Up to 196% FPL during pregnancy and 60 days postpartum
• Children under 19: Through Florida KidCare, up to 200% FPL
• Adults without children: Effectively no eligibility unless disabled or over 65 (Medicare)

If your income falls below 100% FPL and you do not qualify for Florida Medicaid, you are in the coverage gap. The ACA subsidy structure requires at least 100% FPL to receive APTCs, and Florida has not provided a state solution for the gap population. A licensed advisor can help you identify any available options — there are some limited programs and cost-sharing arrangements that may apply.

Which Florida Plan Network to Choose: HMO vs. PPO

Florida's marketplace offers both HMO and PPO type plans, and the choice has significant practical implications for how you use your coverage.

For new Florida residents who are still establishing care and do not have ongoing specialist relationships, HMO plans are often the more cost-effective choice. Florida's HMO networks have expanded significantly in recent years, and major academic medical centers like the University of Florida Health, Tampa General, and AdventHealth systems are in-network for many HMO plans.

If you have an ongoing condition that requires specific specialists — oncologists, rheumatologists, neurologists — verify that your specific providers are in network before selecting a plan. Network adequacy in Florida can vary significantly between carriers and even between plan tiers from the same carrier.

For broader guidance on Florida marketplace options, Florida Plan Finder's plan comparison tool allows you to search by county and filter by network type.

Frequently Asked Questions