Florida Health Insurance

Florida has more health insurance regulations than most states. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the basics of the most important ones, so you're more confident and wise in your purchase.

This guide:

  • Describes important Florida health insurance policy regulations.

  • Lists rules Florida health insurance companies must follow.

Health insurance policies are regulated by each state's own health insurance laws. Florida health insurance companies and policyholders alike must abide by established insurance laws.

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Florida health insurance policy regulations

Some of the most important Florida health insurance laws are ones regulating the health insurance policy specifically.

First, all Florida health insurance policies are guaranteed renewable as long as you have not provided any false information on your application and you have paid your premiums on time.

Second, Florida insurance companies can impose a pre-existing condition exclusion period either permanently or temporarily. Medical conditions are determined to be pre-existing if you have been treated or were diagnosed for them in the 2 years prior to the beginning of your policy.

By attaching pre-existing exclusion period, Florida health insurance companies avoid the responsibility of paying for any medical treatment associated with that condition.

However, when switching plans, your old coverage can be used to credit any pre-existing exclusion period required by your new plan as long as you have had continuous insurance coverage.

Regulating Florida health insurance companies

Florida health insurance companies are either licensed in the state of Florida or not. If they are licensed, you know, as a consumer that the company has passed the Florida health insurance regulations.

Although being licensed is a good quality indicator of Florida health insurance companies, you should still be aware of the few basic Florida health insurance company regulations.

Despite the guaranteed renewability provision, which prohibits Florida health insurance companies from denying your request to renew an existing policy, Florida allows any insurer to initially refuse to offer you a health insurance policy.

Additionally, the availability and cost of health insurance in Florida is determined by your health status. This means that premiums can vary due to your health status and age among other factors. These factors can also be used as valid reasons to deny you coverage.

Because of these relaxed regulations, it is especially important, as a resident of Florida, to purchase Florida health insurance when your health is good and you are young.

Temporary Florida health insurance

For various reasons, people often experience breaks in health insurance coverage. These lapses should not be ignored, but rather rectified by purchasing temporary Florida health insurance.

If you have recently left a fully insured group policy and you have used up your COBRA continuation coverage, you are eligible to obtain a conversion health insurance policy. These policies offer temporary Florida health insurance coverage.

Your previous health insurance company is required to offer you a standardized conversion policy. The premiums for these standardized conversion policies are regulated.

Applications for a conversion policy must be completed and returned within 63 days of the end of your previous policy.

More FL health insurance help

If you want more help getting the a good health insurance policy, read our guide to health insurance.

Also see the guide to Florida small business health insurance.

To find out more about FL health insurance laws and regulations, visit the official website of the Florida Department of Regulatory Agencies, Insurance Division.