Short-Term Health Insurance in Florida: Plans and Costs

Short term health insurance Florida plans offer temporary medical coverage for residents who need a bridge between jobs, are waiting for employer benefits to start, or missed the ACA open enrollment period. These plans are not ACA-compliant, which means they come with significant trade-offs. For the right person in a short gap, they can provide some financial protection, but they are not a substitute for comprehensive coverage.

Federal rules for these plans changed significantly in 2024, sharply limiting how long a short-term plan can last. This article covers what is available now, what it costs, what it does and does not cover, and who should consider it. Because rules and prices change, treat the figures here as estimates and verify the current details with the sources noted at the end.

What Is Short-Term Health Insurance?

Short-term health insurance, also called short-term limited-duration insurance (STLDI), provides temporary medical coverage for a defined period. Unlike ACA Marketplace plans, short-term plans are not required to cover the essential health benefits, are not guaranteed issue (meaning you can be denied or have pre-existing conditions excluded), and typically pair lower premiums with much higher out-of-pocket risk. They are explicitly not comprehensive coverage.

The federal duration rules have swung back and forth. A 2018 rule had allowed initial terms of up to 364 days with renewals totaling up to 36 months. That approach was reversed by the 2024 federal final rule. Under the 2024 rule, for short-term plans sold or issued on or after September 1, 2024, the maximum initial contract term is 3 months, and the maximum total duration, including any renewals or extensions with the same insurer, is 4 months. Plans issued before that date may have been governed by the older, longer limits. Because implementation and any state-level nuances can differ, verify the current rule and how it applies in Florida before you buy.

Florida-Specific Regulations for Short-Term Plans

Florida has generally followed the federal framework for short-term plans rather than imposing its own longer or shorter durations. Here is what that means for residents today:

• Maximum initial term: Up to 3 months, under the 2024 federal rule (for plans sold or issued on or after September 1, 2024).
• Maximum total duration: Up to 4 months, including renewals or extensions. This is a major change from the multi-year coverage some Floridians bought under the prior rule.
• Required consumer notice: Newer short-term plans must display a prominent, plain-language notice stating that the coverage is not comprehensive, is not the same as Marketplace coverage, and may not cover things like pre-existing conditions.
• No state mandate for essential health benefits: Florida does not require short-term plans to cover maternity, mental health, prescription drugs, or preventive care, though some plans include limited versions of these benefits.
• Medical underwriting is allowed: Insurers can ask health questions, decline coverage, or exclude pre-existing conditions.
• No individual mandate penalty: Florida has no state-level penalty for going without ACA-compliant coverage.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FLOIR) oversees short-term plans sold in the state, and plans must be filed and approved before being offered to Florida residents. For the most current Florida-specific rules and any state updates, confirm directly with FLOIR.

How Much Does Short-Term Health Insurance Cost in Florida?

Short-term premiums in Florida are often lower than ACA Marketplace premiums before subsidies, though the gap narrows or disappears once Marketplace tax credits are applied. Exact costs depend on your age, health status, coverage level, and deductible, and prices change year to year. As a rough, illustrative guide, monthly premiums have commonly fallen in these ranges:

• Individual (age 25-35): roughly $80 to $200 per month
• Individual (age 45-55): roughly $150 to $350 per month
• Family plan: roughly $250 to $600 per month

Treat these as estimates only; get current quotes for your situation. Deductibles on short-term plans typically range from about $1,000 to $10,000, and benefit caps (per-period or lifetime) often apply, sometimes in the range of a few hundred thousand dollars up to about $1 million or so. These caps are a critical difference from ACA plans, which have no annual or lifetime limits on essential health benefits.

For context, the average unsubsidized ACA Marketplace premium in Florida for a mid-tier Silver plan is often in the several-hundred-dollars-per-month range, but many Floridians qualify for premium tax credits that substantially reduce what they actually pay, sometimes to very little. Subsidy rules and the availability of enhanced premium tax credits can change with federal legislation, so check your current eligibility and net cost on the Marketplace before deciding. Always compare short-term pricing against your subsidized ACA options.

What Short-Term Plans Typically Cover

Coverage varies by insurer, but most short-term plans in Florida include some version of:

• Hospitalization and inpatient surgery
• Emergency room visits
• Outpatient surgery and procedures
• Doctor office visits (sometimes only after a deductible)
• Diagnostic testing (lab work, X-rays, MRIs)
• Urgent care visits

What short-term plans typically do NOT cover

• Pre-existing conditions (the most significant limitation)
• Maternity and newborn care
• Mental health and substance use treatment
• Prescription drugs (some plans offer limited drug cards or discount programs)
• Preventive care (no free annual wellness visits or screenings)
• ACA essential health benefits not listed above

Because pre-existing conditions are commonly excluded, anyone with ongoing health needs, such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or depression requiring medication, should think carefully before choosing a short-term plan over an ACA-compliant option. Read the policy’s exclusions and definitions closely; what counts as “pre-existing” can be broad.

Major Short-Term Health Insurance Providers in Florida

Several insurers have offered short-term plans to Florida residents. Names and availability shift as the market adjusts to the 2024 duration limits, so confirm current offerings before you shop. Carriers that have been active in this space include:

• UnitedHealthcare short-term plans: multiple deductible options, subject to current federal duration limits.
• Allstate Health Solutions (formerly National General): historically one of the more active short-term carriers, with flexible plan designs and optional riders.
• Pivot Health: short-term plans that may bundle a limited benefit package for primary care and prescriptions.
• IHC Group / HealthMarkets-listed plans: multiple tiers with varying deductibles and benefit maximums.

You can compare plans through licensed insurance brokers, on HealthCare.gov for ACA comparison, or through insurance marketplaces such as eHealth and GoHealth that list both ACA and non-ACA options. Confirm any plan’s current duration, renewal terms, and exclusions in writing.

Who Should Consider Short-Term Insurance in Florida?

With the tighter 2024 duration limits, short-term insurance is best understood as a brief gap filler, not a stand-in for year-round coverage. It may make sense if you are:

• Between jobs and waiting a short time for new employer benefits to begin
• A recent graduate aging off a parent’s plan and not yet employed with benefits
• Waiting for ACA or other coverage to start after a qualifying life event
• Retiring shortly before age 65 and bridging a brief window to Medicare
• Generally healthy with no pre-existing conditions and low expected medical needs

If you need coverage for longer than a few months, an ACA Marketplace plan (often with subsidies) is usually the more reliable choice, since a short-term plan can no longer legally stretch across many months. If you are weighing alternatives, consider COBRA insurance (which continues your employer plan but at full cost), health care sharing ministries, or Medicaid (if your income qualifies). Our healthcare policy guide compares these options in detail.

Risks and Limitations to Understand

Short-term plans can fill a real gap, but they carry risks that ACA plans do not:

• Very limited duration: Under the 2024 rule, coverage generally cannot exceed a few months, so it will not carry you through a long gap.
• Underwriting and exclusions: You can be denied, charged more, or have conditions excluded based on your health history.
• Benefit caps: Per-term or lifetime maximums mean a serious illness or accident could exhaust your coverage, leaving you responsible for the balance.
• Not ACA-compliant: Short-term plans are not minimum essential coverage, and losing a short-term plan does not, by itself, create a Special Enrollment Period for the Marketplace.
• Limited appeal rights: If a claim is denied, your appeal options may be narrower than with ACA-compliant insurance.

Federal rules require short-term plans to include a prominent notice that the coverage is not comprehensive and may not cover all essential health benefits. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers these federal STLDI rules; check CMS and FLOIR for the current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is short-term health insurance legal in Florida?

Yes. Florida permits short-term health insurance, subject to the current federal duration limits. Under the 2024 federal rule, plans sold or issued on or after September 1, 2024 are limited to a 3-month initial term and 4 months total, including renewals. Verify current Florida specifics with FLOIR.

Can I get short-term insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

You can apply, but the insurer may exclude your pre-existing condition, charge more, or decline your application entirely, because short-term insurers are allowed to use medical underwriting. If you have ongoing health conditions, an ACA Marketplace plan is typically the better choice.

Does short-term insurance cover prescriptions in Florida?

Most short-term plans do not include comprehensive prescription coverage. Some offer optional discount cards or limited drug benefits as an add-on. If you take regular medications, factor the full out-of-pocket drug cost into your comparison.

How do I cancel a short-term health insurance plan?

Most plans allow cancellation with written notice, and some require a short notice period. Check your plan documents for the specific policy, and confirm whether any refund applies for unused coverage.

Can I switch from short-term to an ACA plan mid-year?

Only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, triggered by events like marriage, having a baby, losing other qualifying coverage, or moving. Simply having a short-term plan expire does not create an SEP. Otherwise, you would enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period (typically in the late fall and winter). Verify current dates on HealthCare.gov.