Florida is one of the 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA as of 2026. Moving to Florida from an expansion state like California, New York, or Texas (which also did not expand) means the Medicaid safety net most people expect does not apply to working-age adults here. Florida Medicaid covers pregnant women, children under 19 through Florida KidCare (Florida's CHIP program), people who are blind or have disabilities, and seniors in long-term care, but not non-disabled adults without qualifying children at low incomes the way expansion states do. The practical result: most people moving to Florida must use the ACA Marketplace at healthcare.gov to find coverage, and premium tax credits become especially important when Florida Medicaid is unavailable. The 60-day Special Enrollment Period triggered by your Florida move is your window to act. Florida's large Medicare Advantage market (the state has more Medicare beneficiaries than almost any other) is a separate enrollment path for people turning 65 or moving to Florida on Medicare; see the SHINE program for free counseling. For working-age movers, the Marketplace is the primary route.
Moving to Florida also means navigating one of the most competitive and plan-dense ACA Marketplace environments in the country. Florida has among the highest Marketplace enrollment rates per capita nationally, which means more carriers, more plan options, and more network variation by county. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties have robust provider networks; rural North Florida counties have fewer in-network options. The prior-coverage requirement for the move-triggered SEP applies in Florida as everywhere: you must have had minimum essential coverage for at least one of the 60 days before your move date. Someone who was uninsured before moving to Florida does not qualify for the move-triggered SEP and must wait for the 2027 ACA Open Enrollment (November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027). The 2026 ACA subsidy cliff returned after enhanced premium tax credits from the American Rescue Plan Act expired January 1, 2026, so incomes above 400% FPL ($63,840 for a single adult) do not qualify for premium tax credits this year. Check the ACA income limits and federal poverty level tables to confirm your 2026 eligibility before starting the healthcare.gov enrollment process.
7 Steps to Get Coverage
Common Mistakes That Cost People Thousands
The most costly mistakes people make when moving to Florida in 2026:
- Expecting Florida Medicaid to work like expansion states. Florida has NOT expanded Medicaid. Adults without qualifying children or disabilities do not qualify for Florida Medicaid regardless of how low their income is. Plan for the ACA Marketplace as your primary option.
- Looking for a Florida state exchange website. Florida uses healthcare.gov (the federally facilitated Marketplace). There is no separate coveredflorida.gov or similar site. Enrolling on a third-party site that mimics the Marketplace can result in non-ACA-compliant plans with no subsidy eligibility.
- Missing the prior-coverage requirement. The Florida move SEP only applies if you had minimum essential coverage for at least one of the 60 days before your move. People who were uninsured before moving to Florida do not qualify for the move-triggered SEP and must wait for Open Enrollment.
- Using COBRA after moving to Florida. COBRA from your old state keeps your old plan's provider network, which is in the state you left. Every routine doctor visit in Florida will be out-of-network, typically at 2 to 4 times the in-network rate. At $500 to $2,000 per month for COBRA premiums in 2026, this is almost always the worst financial outcome.
- Not comparing Florida plan networks by county. Florida is geographically diverse; a Silver plan in Miami-Dade has very different networks and premiums than a Silver plan in Escambia County (Pensacola). Always enter your new Florida ZIP code on healthcare.gov before choosing a plan; out-of-area plan shopping returns incorrect network and premium data.
- Keeping double coverage active and forgetting to cancel the old plan. Running two active plans simultaneously creates subsidy reconciliation errors on your 1095-A tax form when you file your 2026 federal taxes, and the IRS may claw back premium tax credits you received.
Florida's Medicaid Coverage Gap: What Non-Expansion Means for You in 2026
Florida stands apart from 40 other states plus DC because it has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Federal Medicaid expansion at 138% FPL ($22,025 for a single adult in 2026) opened a path to free coverage for low-income working-age adults in expansion states, but Florida has not adopted it. For someone moving to Florida with an income below 100% FPL ($15,960 single in 2026) who does not fall into a covered Florida Medicaid category, there is no Marketplace subsidy (the ACA subsidy floor starts at 100% FPL) and no Florida Medicaid. This is called the coverage gap. Adults with no income or income below the ACA floor who are not pregnant, not disabled, and have no qualifying dependent children fall into this gap. The practical advice: if you are moving to Florida with income below 100% FPL and no qualifying condition, consider whether delaying the move until you have a Marketplace-eligible income level or until Florida changes its Medicaid policy is possible. The Florida Legislature has repeatedly declined to expand Medicaid; no expansion is expected in 2026.
Florida KidCare is Florida's CHIP program and operates separately from the adult Medicaid non-expansion. Florida KidCare enrolls children under 19 at incomes up to 200% FPL ($43,280 for a family of 2 in 2026). Apply at floridakidcare.org or through healthcare.gov. Florida KidCare enrollment is year-round and is available immediately upon establishing Florida residency. Pregnant women moving to Florida should apply immediately at myflorida.com/accessflorida; Florida Medicaid covers pregnancy-related care for women up to 196% FPL and extends 60 days postpartum. Moving to Florida from a state with broader pregnancy Medicaid (some expansion states extend to 200% FPL or higher) may mean less comprehensive postpartum coverage if the Florida 60-day postpartum limit applies.
Enrolling on healthcare.gov After Moving to Florida: Step-by-Step Portal Guidance
Florida is one of the majority of states that uses the federally facilitated Marketplace at healthcare.gov. There is no separate Florida state exchange website; every ACA Marketplace enrollment for Florida goes through healthcare.gov. Start by creating or logging in to your healthcare.gov account and selecting 'I moved to a new coverage area' as your qualifying life event. Enter your new Florida ZIP code; the system displays plans available in your county. Florida has 67 counties and plan availability varies: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Orange counties have the most carriers and lowest average premiums; rural North Florida and Panhandle counties have fewer options. Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, and the in-network provider directory by your specific Florida ZIP code before selecting a plan. Silver plans offer the best balance of premium and out-of-pocket costs for most Florida movers with incomes between 100% and 250% FPL, and they are the only plans eligible for cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies. Bronze plans have lower premiums but higher deductibles, typically $6,000 to $8,000 per individual in 2026. Gold plans have higher premiums but lower deductibles, best for people with predictable ongoing medical needs. Coverage typically starts the first of the month after enrollment.
Florida Medicare Movers: SHINE Counseling and Plan Change Rules
Florida has the highest concentration of Medicare Advantage enrollees of any state, with more than 200 plan options available in many South Florida counties. Moving to Florida while enrolled in Medicare triggers a Special Enrollment Period: you have until the last day of the month after the month of your move to switch Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Part D plans, with at minimum a 2-month SEP window. SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is Florida's free Medicare counseling program run by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. SHINE counselors at 1-800-963-5337 can compare Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies, and Part D drug plans in your specific Florida county at no cost. Florida Medicare beneficiaries in low-income households (roughly 135% FPL and below in 2026) should ask SHINE counselors about Medicare Savings Programs, which pay the 2026 Part B premium of $202.90 per month, and Extra Help, which caps Part D drug costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does moving to Florida trigger a Special Enrollment Period for health insurance?
Yes. Permanently moving to Florida where different qualified health plans are available triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for the ACA Marketplace. The 60-day SEP clock starts on your actual Florida move date. One required condition: you must have had minimum essential coverage for at least one of the 60 days before your move date. People who were uninsured before moving to Florida do not qualify for the move-triggered SEP and must wait for the next Open Enrollment in November 2026 for 2027 coverage.
Does Florida have expanded Medicaid in 2026?
No. Florida is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. This means most working-age adults moving to Florida do not qualify for Florida Medicaid, regardless of income. Florida Medicaid covers pregnant women (up to 196% FPL for pregnancy-related care), children under 19 through Florida KidCare (up to 200% FPL), people who are blind or disabled, and seniors in long-term care. Adults without qualifying children or disabilities typically fall into the Florida coverage gap. The ACA Marketplace via healthcare.gov is the primary coverage option for most Florida movers.
Which website do I use to enroll in ACA Marketplace coverage in Florida?
Florida uses healthcare.gov, the federally facilitated Marketplace. Florida does not have a separate state exchange website. Go to healthcare.gov, log in or create an account, report your Florida move as a qualifying life event, and enter your new Florida ZIP code to see plans available in your county. Do not use third-party websites that claim to be the Florida health insurance marketplace; only healthcare.gov enrollments qualify for ACA premium tax credits.
What documents do I need to prove I moved to Florida for the SEP?
Healthcare.gov requires proof of your new Florida address. Acceptable documents include a signed lease or rental agreement at the new Florida address, a mortgage closing statement or property deed, a utility bill (electric, gas, or water) at the new Florida address dated within 60 days, government mail at the new Florida address, or a bank statement showing the new Florida address. Also prepare proof of prior coverage from your former state (insurance card, 1095-A form, or termination letter) to satisfy the prior-coverage requirement. Having all documents ready before starting the healthcare.gov enrollment process reduces review time significantly.
Can my children get Florida KidCare (CHIP) after we move to Florida?
Yes. Florida KidCare is Florida's CHIP program and covers children under 19 at incomes up to 200% FPL ($43,280 for a family of 2 in 2026). Florida KidCare enrollment is year-round, separate from the adult coverage gap. Apply at floridakidcare.org or through healthcare.gov. Florida KidCare provides low-cost or free comprehensive coverage including dental and vision. Even if you as the parent do not qualify for Florida Medicaid because Florida has not expanded coverage, your children may still qualify for Florida KidCare if your household income is at or below 200% FPL.
What happens to my ACA subsidies after I move to Florida?
Moving to Florida resets your ACA subsidy calculation based on your projected Florida household income for the remainder of 2026. Your subsidy is recalculated using your income from your Florida move date through December 31, 2026. For 2026, premium tax credits are available on healthcare.gov for incomes between 100% and 400% FPL ($15,960 to $63,840 single; $33,000 to $132,000 family of 4). The enhanced ACA subsidies from the American Rescue Plan Act expired January 1, 2026, so the 400% FPL subsidy cliff applies. Report your new Florida address and updated income to healthcare.gov within 30 days of your move to avoid subsidy reconciliation issues on your 1095-A form.
What if I miss the 60-day SEP after moving to Florida?
If you miss the 60-day SEP after moving to Florida, you generally must wait until the next ACA Open Enrollment (November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 for 2027 coverage) unless another qualifying life event occurs: marriage, birth of a child, job change triggering an employer plan, or income dropping to Medicaid-qualifying levels. Florida Medicaid has no deadline for those who qualify (pregnant women, children, disabled, elderly). Do not let the gap extend; a single emergency room visit without insurance in Florida can cost $5,000 to $25,000, and the 2026 ACA out-of-pocket maximum is $10,600 for an individual plan.
Is COBRA a good option after moving to Florida?
Almost never. COBRA from your old state keeps your old plan's provider network, which is in the state you moved from. Routine doctor visits, specialist care, and hospital admissions in Florida will be out-of-network on your COBRA plan, typically costing 2 to 4 times the in-network rate, on top of COBRA premiums of $500 to $2,000 per month (102% of full premium in 2026). The one narrow exception: if you are actively mid-treatment with a specific specialist at your prior location that cannot be interrupted for clinical reasons and no Florida provider can substitute. Otherwise, ACA Marketplace plans with Florida premium tax credits almost always produce better financial outcomes than COBRA.
