Floridians who buy their own health insurance through HealthCare.gov can begin choosing 2027 Affordable Care Act plans on Sunday, Nov. 1, when the federal marketplace opens its yearly enrollment period.
Key dates
- Dec. 15: the last day to enroll in or switch plans for coverage that begins Jan. 1, according to HealthCare.gov.
- Dec. 16 to Jan. 15: plans picked in this window take effect Feb. 1, once the first premium is paid.
- Jan. 15: open enrollment closes for the year.
The marketplace call center takes questions at 1-800-318-2596, the federal site says.
What Florida shoppers will see
Twelve insurers are selling plans on the Florida marketplace, where federal subsidies can lower monthly costs, and three others offer ACA-compliant policies outside it, the Florida Phoenix reported, citing the state Office of Insurance Regulation. The regulator's figures put the average 2027 premium increase at 10.4% before subsidies are counted.
Buyers choose among metal levels. Bronze plans cost less each month but come with higher deductibles than gold or platinum coverage, and some people under 30 qualify for catastrophic plans, which pair the lowest premiums with the highest deductibles.
Fewer enrollees, less help
About 3.85 million Floridians signed up on the federal exchange and paid a first premium for 2026 coverage, compared with 4.3 million for 2025, a drop of roughly 10%, according to the Phoenix.
The outlet said it is not yet known how many of the roughly 450,000 people who left the exchange went without insurance, bought a policy elsewhere or moved to an employer plan, because 2026 uninsured figures are not due until next year. The decline came after enhanced federal premium tax credits ended.
Shoppers can also get enrollment help from navigators. The statewide navigator program is run by Florida Covering Kids and Families, the holder of Florida's federal navigator grant, which subcontracts with five other groups. It has $1.379 million this year, the same as last year and about 90% less than the $13.79 million it got in 2024, the Phoenix reported.
"Our navigators are prepared to really help people understand what might best fit their needs," director Xonjenese Jacobs told the outlet. For residents who cannot afford a marketplace plan, she said, navigators can steer them toward community health centers that receive federal funding, as well as charity clinics that charge less.
Sources
floridaphoenix.com
healthcare.gov
