Florida Health Insurance Plans

With a population of almost 21,500,000, Florida is the 3rd most populated state in the United States of America. Florida uses the federally run exchange, so residents enroll through HealthCare.gov and Florida has the highest exchange enrollment of any state in the country. Florida’s exchange enrollment each year is the highest of any state compared in the country.  Astoundingly, almost 17 percent of the entire country’s exchange enrollees are in Florida. 1,913,975 people enrolled in plans through the Florida exchange during the open enrollment period for 2020 coverage. 

Notable updates from healthinsurance.org regarding Florida Blue:

“Oscar entered Florida’s individual market in Orlando in 2019, and expanded to several other cities in 2020. Soon after the start of open enrollment for 2019 coverage, Oscar filed a lawsuit in an effort to eliminate Florida Blue’s exclusive agent clause. In most markets, licensed insurance producers can be appointed with numerous insurers, offering their clients an array of plan options and helping them determine which one best fits their needs. But Florida Blue’s contract with insurance agents requires them to be captive—they cannot sell other insurers’ policies, and must only represent Florida Blue. And after Oscar entered the market in Orlando, Florida Blue required agents to sign new exclusivity contracts.

In describing this tactic, Oscar noted that “Florida Blue is using its monopoly power to make sure consumers do what’s best for Florida Blue” (as opposed to doing what’s best for the consumer).”

Keep in mind that private marketplace plans are plentiful and available as alternatives and many times more affordable alternatives to your health coverage needs. If you’re not sure what private marketplace plans are, read up on it here.