Obamacare in Florida, with free local help. Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act, or ACA) plans in Florida are sold through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Instant Health Help is a licensed agency based in Orlando and Kissimmee. Our agent, Lobsang Rivas (NPN 18838086), helps you check tax credits, compare plans for your doctors and ZIP code, and enroll, in English or Spanish, at no cost to you.
- Open Enrollment runs November 1 to January 15. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
- Premium tax credits are generally available if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level and you don’t have affordable job-based coverage.
- Florida did not expand Medicaid, so some adults with very low income fall into a coverage gap. Check before you assume you don’t qualify for anything.
Popular Obamacare questions in Florida
- SavingsObamacare income limits in FloridaSee which household incomes can get help paying for a plan.
- PricesHow much is Obamacare in Florida?What sets your monthly price: age, where you live, income and plan level.
- Enroll nowSpecial Enrollment Period in FloridaLost coverage, moved, married or had a baby? See if you can enroll now.
- MedicaidMedicaid office in Orlando?Help with your Florida Medicaid application. We are not DCF.
- MedicaidMedicaid office in Kissimmee?MyACCESS application help in Osceola County. We are not DCF.
- En españolMyACCESS en españolAyuda paso a paso con su solicitud de MyACCESS. No somos DCF.
Local agents near you
How Obamacare works in Florida
Florida does not run its own exchange. It uses HealthCare.gov, the federal Marketplace. Private insurance companies sell the plans, and every plan must cover essential health benefits like doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, maternity care and preventive care. Insurers can’t turn you down or charge you more for a pre-existing condition.
You can apply on your own, or work with a licensed agent. An agent’s help is free to you and doesn’t change your price. What changes is that someone checks your income estimate, your doctors and your drugs with you before you pick.
Open Enrollment dates in Florida
- November 1: Open Enrollment starts.
- December 15: last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1.
- December 16 – January 15: coverage starts February 1.
- After January 15: you need a Special Enrollment Period (see life events below), unless you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
You may still see older posts saying “December 15 is the last day.” In Florida, Open Enrollment runs to January 15. Details: Florida Open Enrollment help.
Who qualifies for help paying for a plan?
Your savings depend on your expected household income for the coverage year, compared with the federal poverty level (FPL). Dollar amounts change every year; see our federal poverty level chart for the current numbers.
| Household income | What usually happens in Florida |
|---|---|
| Below 100% FPL | Usually no premium tax credit. Check Florida Medicaid first. Many adults without children don’t qualify for Florida Medicaid, which is the coverage gap. |
| 100% – 250% FPL | The largest tax credits. If you pick a Silver plan, you may also get cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays. |
| 250% – 400% FPL | A tax credit may apply. You pay a capped share of your income toward the benchmark Silver plan. |
| Above 400% FPL | No premium tax credit under current law, because the temporary expanded credits ended. You can still buy a plan at full price; we help you compare lower-cost options. |
Also required: you live in Florida, aren’t eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or affordable job-based coverage, and file a federal tax return (married couples file jointly). For tax credits, non-citizens must have a qualifying status: lawful permanent residents (green card), Cuban or Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants. Other lawfully present immigrants can still buy a Marketplace plan but may have to pay full price.
Keep your income up to date. Tax credits are paid ahead based on your estimate. If your income ends up higher, you may have to pay some or all of the extra credit back when you file. Report changes during the year: pay changed mid-year? Learn more in how Marketplace tax credits work in Florida.
What changes your price
- Income and household size, which set your tax credit.
- Age: older adults pay more before tax credits.
- ZIP code and county: plan lists and prices differ across Florida.
- Tobacco use.
- Metal level: Bronze, Silver, Gold. See Bronze vs Silver vs Gold in Florida and can a Gold plan cost less than Silver?
Some people qualify for low- or no-premium plans after tax credits; your price depends on income, household and ZIP.
Medicaid, KidCare and the coverage gap
If your income is low, start with Florida Medicaid. Children may qualify for Medicaid or Florida KidCare at higher incomes than adults. You apply through MyACCESS, Florida’s benefits portal, and we help you with the application for free. We are not DCF; the Florida Department of Children and Families decides eligibility. See MyACCESS help in Central Florida and lost Medicaid or CHIP? Your Marketplace options.
Life events that let you enroll now
Most Special Enrollment Periods give you 60 days from the event. Pick yours:
- Lost your job or job coverage
- COBRA vs Marketplace
- Got married
- Divorced
- Had a baby
- Expecting a baby
- Turning 26
- Lost Medicaid or CHIP
- Moved to Kissimmee, St. Cloud or Haines City
- Can I change plans mid-year?
- Missed a premium payment
- What if I do nothing at renewal?
Coverage for your situation
- Self-employed and gig workers: ACA Open Enrollment for self-employed people and families, estimating self-employed income, Clermont and Lake County
- Families: family Marketplace coverage
- Small business owners: small business owner coverage
- Early retirees (55–64): early retiree health insurance
- Snowbirds: snowbird health insurance
- Health accounts: HSA vs HRA vs FSA
- Dental and vision: ask us when you compare health plans.
Local help across Florida
We meet in person in Central Florida by appointment and help the rest of Florida by phone, video and online.
- Orlando
- Kissimmee
- Orange County
- Osceola County
- St. Cloud
- Poinciana
- Sanford and Seminole County
- Davenport and Four Corners
- Lakeland
- Tampa
- Miami
- West Palm Beach
- Jacksonville
- Health insurance agent near me
En español: Orlando, Kissimmee, Inscripción abierta en Florida, documentos para Obamacare.
Outside Florida?
Lobsang also holds non-resident licenses and helps by phone and online:
- Texas, Tennessee and Michigan use HealthCare.gov, like Florida: Texas, Tennessee, Michigan.
- New York and New Jersey run their own state marketplaces (NY State of Health and Get Covered New Jersey) with different deadlines. Get a quote, then we help you enroll through the state marketplace: New York, New Jersey.
What about short-term plans or sharing ministries?
They are not ACA coverage and can deny or limit care for pre-existing conditions. Health care sharing ministries are not insurance and are not required to pay claims. See ACA alternatives in Florida before you choose one.
Obamacare in Florida: frequently asked questions
Does Florida have Obamacare?
Yes. Florida uses the federal Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. The plans are private health insurance plans that follow ACA rules: no denials for pre-existing conditions and coverage for essential health benefits. Florida did not expand Medicaid, which creates a coverage gap for some adults with very low income.
How much is Obamacare in Florida?
It depends on your income, age, ZIP code, household size, tobacco use and the plan level you pick. Many people qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly price, and some people qualify for low- or no-premium plans after tax credits. Your price depends on income, household and ZIP. We can show real prices for your ZIP.
Can I enroll outside Open Enrollment?
Only with a Special Enrollment Period. Losing other coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby and some other life events usually give you 60 days to enroll. People who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP can apply any time.
Is this HealthCare.gov?
No. Instant Health Help is a licensed insurance agency, not HealthCare.gov or any government agency. We can help you compare plans and enroll through the official Health Insurance Marketplace, at no cost to you.
Do you charge for your help?
No. Our help is free to you. If you enroll, the insurance company pays us, and that does not change your premium.
Check plans for your ZIP, or talk to us
Have your ZIP code, household size, income estimate and doctor list ready. ¿Prefiere español? Vea nuestra página en español.
We are a licensed agency, not HealthCare.gov or any government agency. We can help you enroll in plans on the official Health Insurance Marketplace. Eligibility, prices and savings depend on your income, household and ZIP code; no plan, price or premium is guaranteed. Health Insurance Marketplace® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Instant Health Help is a licensed insurance agency, not the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). We help you complete your MyACCESS application for free; DCF decides eligibility.
Lobsang Rivas, licensed health insurance agent, NPN 18838086. Florida resident license; non-resident licenses in Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, New York and New Jersey. Disclaimers.