Steps of Applying for Health Insurance in Florida

Purchasing any insurance is always best through a knowledgeable insurance agent, who can help you apply for the plan that not only fits your budget but also provides you with the needed coverages. Speak with a Florida-licensed agent today.
The steps below detail how to apply for health insurance through the marketplace:

1. Choose the health insurance coverage you want to get
   There are multiple health insurance plans in Florida, with each plan fulfilling unique purposes. The type of plan you choose will determine where you will get your coverage, either through a private health insurance company or a government-sponsored plan.
2. Apply for coverage
   If you are using a Florida health insurance agent, they will do all the application work for you - regardless of what type of insurance you are trying to buy: ACA, short term, supplemental, dental, vision, or any other. You need to supply your personal information and approve the application. The agent does the rest for you and checks back with the results when ready
   Below is the standard application process for ACA insurance:
   You can apply after selecting the coverage you need or identifying the coverage you are eligible for. If you want to get a government-sponsored health insurance plan in Florida, you can apply during the open enrollment period (OEP), which begins on November 1 and ends on January 15. If you miss the open enrollment period, you can still sign up for health insurance as long as you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You qualify for SEP if, during the OEP, you had to deal with certain life events, like losing health coverage, relocating, marriage, childbirth/adoption, or adopting a child, or your household income is below a certain amount. To apply online, follow these steps:

• Create an account on the HealthCare.gov website.
• Enter your zip code in the find local help portal to get a list of people or organizations within your area that can help you apply for coverage.
  You can also apply for health insurance through certified enrollment partner websites or insurance company websites. The difference is that certified enrollment partner websites allow you to compare all available Marketplace plans in your area. In contrast, insurance company websites only show you their Marketplace plans. Note that to get premium tax credits, you must apply through HealthCare.gov or a certified enrollment partner’s website.
  Use the contact us page to enroll over the phone through the Marketplace Call Center. In addition, Healthcare.gov provides a mail-in paper application option, which requires you to complete the Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs, sign it, and mail it to:
  Health Insurance Marketplace
  Department of Health and Human Services
  465 Industrial Boulevard
  London, KY 40750-0001
  You can get extra pages if you have more than two people to include in your application. You can use the checklist to gather the documents you need for the application.
  For individual plans, health insurance is only available during the annual open enrollment period or a special enrollment period triggered by a qualifying event. There are 10 insurers and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in Florida that provide individual health care plans to residents under the ACA. Individuals who have just turned 26, or are part-time workers, self-employed, unemployed, or recent retirees, are eligible for individual health insurance plans.
  For group plans, there is no open enrollment period. Individuals can enroll anytime during the year if they are eligible. There are 14 insurers and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) offering group plans to Florida residents under the Affordable Care Act. Businesses with at least one full-time equivalent employee and members of organizations are eligible for group health plans.
  Application for Florida’s short-term health insurance and/or supplemental coverages can be made through the agent year-round without restrictions. Consult with a Florida-licensed health insurance agent to answer any further questions you may have on applying for health insurance.