Moving to Florida? How to Get Covered

Welcome to Florida. Along with the sunshine and lower taxes, you'll want to secure health insurance coverage for your new home state. Whether you're moving from another state, returning from abroad, or relocating within Florida, here's how to navigate getting covered.

Moving to Florida Triggers a Special Enrollment Period

Moving to a new state is a qualifying life event that opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period on the ACA marketplace. You cannot keep your prior state's marketplace plan—marketplace plans are state-specific, and Florida uses the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov.

Steps:

1. Establish a Florida address (lease agreement, utility bill, or other proof of residency)
2. Log in to HealthCare.gov and update your state to Florida
3. Report the move as a qualifying life event
4. Browse Florida plans available in your new county
5. Upload your Florida address documentation
6. Enroll in a plan within 60 days of establishing Florida residency

Florida's Marketplace: What to Expect

Florida's ACA marketplace is one of the largest and most competitive in the country. Depending on your county, you may have 4–6 carriers to choose from, with dozens of plan options across all metal tiers. Major carriers include Florida Blue, Molina Healthcare, Ambetter (Sunshine Health), Oscar Health, United Healthcare, and Aetna.

Florida is divided into rating areas that affect premiums. Urban areas (Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough) typically have lower premiums due to higher carrier competition. More rural counties may have fewer carriers and higher premiums.

What About Employer Coverage?

If you're moving to Florida for a new job with employer benefits, enroll in the employer plan during your new-hire enrollment window (typically 30–60 days from your start date). You may also be eligible to enroll the first day of employment depending on the employer's plan terms.

If you're working remotely for an out-of-state employer, ask HR whether your current employer plan covers Florida providers or whether switching to a more Florida-friendly option is possible.

Subsidy Eligibility in Florida

Your subsidy eligibility at your new Florida address depends on your projected household income for the year and your Florida rating area's benchmark plan cost. Florida's benchmark premiums vary by county—updating your address may change your subsidy amount compared to your prior state.

Florida Medicaid

If you might qualify for Medicaid, apply through Florida's ACCESS program at myflorida.com. Florida's Medicaid eligibility for adults is very restrictive (no expansion), but children and pregnant women have broader eligibility. FL KidCare covers qualifying children.

Medicare in Florida

If you're on Medicare, your Original Medicare coverage works the same in Florida as in any other state. Update your address with Social Security and Medicare to ensure your records are current. If you're on Medicare Advantage, your current plan may not be available in Florida—contact Medicare or your plan to assess your options.