Health insurance is an integral aspect of an individual’s life. Before you buy a particular health policy, you need to make a good evaluation of your budget and your family’s health care needs. If you reside in Florida, you can choose from various health insurance alternatives. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation supervises the legislature under which the Florida health insurers can sell private health insurance to individuals and families.

Whether you are looking for information on low-cost Florida health insurance plans or an online quote from major Florida health insurance companies, you will find everything you need here, in one convenient location. Get free Florida health insurance quotes and information on affordable health insurance in Florida.

Florida (FL)
Individual Health Insurance Regulations

Learn more about Florida Individual Health Insurance

Under Florida state health insurance laws, individual health insurance policies are not guaranteed issue. Most individual health insurance policies are medically underwritten; allowing the individual health insurance companies to decline the application based on past health history or pre-existing health conditions. There is a 24 month look-back and exclusionary period for pre-existing conditions, although pre-existing conditions may not be considered when applying under HIPPA eligibility. During the application process, the insurance company may choose to deny coverage based on health history; provide health insurance with limitations on pre-existing health conditions; or approve the application as submitted with full coverage. Premium rates will vary depending on age, gender and smoking, as well as the type of health insurance plan applied for. If approved for coverage, the insurance company must recognize creditable coverage from a prior health insurance policy and apply this to the 24 month pre-existing exclusionary period. Creditable coverage will not apply to any waivers which may have been written into the policy due to pre-existing conditions. The state mandates health insurers to cover certain medical services such as diabetes care, vaccinations, post delivery hospital care and breast cancer screenings.

Florida (FL)
Small Group Health Insurance Regulations

A small employer group in Florida is defined as a group of 1 – 50 employees. In Florida, a small group consisting of one employee is eligible for guaranteed issue coverage during annual open enrollment periods only. Applications for the annual open enrollment period are accepted during the month of August with an effective date of October 1. Small group health insurance policies for groups of 2 – 50 are guaranteed issue. Employers may impose a waiting period on new employees prior to allowing them to become eligible for the group plan. Once you have been determined eligible to join the plan, issuance of health insurance coverage is guaranteed and may not be denied or altered in any way due to your current or past health status. Group health insurance carriers can impose a 6-month look back/12-month exclusionary period for pre-existing conditions on those group members who do not have creditable coverage. Minimum participation may be required of small groups, requiring a minimum percentage of eligible employees be included on the group health plan. Rates may be adjusted up or down by no more than 15% over the standard rate and are based on the overall health status of the employees enrolling under the group. Usually, the benefits vary depending on the type of the chosen group plan.

COBRA and Continuation Coverage

Federal COBRA laws apply to all employers with more than 20 employees. Federal COBRA laws apply to companies with more than 20 employees. Your coverage under the COBRA option is the same coverage you had while you were covered under your group plan. Most COBRA plans last for 18 months, but certain qualified beneficiaries may remain on COBRA for 36 months, such as a widow of a primary insured. The premium amount, plus a 2% administration fee will be charged directly to the insured.

Florida has a mini-COBRA regulation under the Florida Health Insurance Coverage Continuation Act that applies to groups of 20 or less and mirror federal COBRA regulations of 18 months coverage extension with the exception that if a person becomes disabled while on COBRA, they can extend their coverage for an additional 11 months. An employee is only required to be active on the group health plan for one day in order to qualify for COBRA coverage. Florida law allows a premium that is 15% higher than the rate that is paid by the employer and coverage must be accepted within 30 from date of termination. Conversion plans are available for those that have exhausted their COBRA benefits and are not eligible for standard coverage.