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 — but for the right person in the right situation, they can provide crucial financial protection.
Florida is one of the more permissive states when it comes to short term health insurance, allowing plans with longer durations and fewer restrictions than many other states. This article covers what is available, what it costs, what it does and does not cover, and who should consider it.
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 essential health benefits, cannot be guaranteed issue (meaning you can be denied for pre-existing conditions), and typically have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket risk.
Under federal rules updated in 2018, short-term plans can last up to 364 days with the option to renew for a total of up to 36 months. Florida follows the federal standard, making it one of the states where short-term plans can serve as a longer-duration coverage option.
Florida-Specific Regulations for Short-Term Plans
Florida does not impose additional restrictions beyond the federal framework. Here is what that means for residents:
- Maximum initial term: Up to 364 days.
- Renewability: Plans can be renewed for a total duration of up to 36 months (three years).
- 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, deny coverage, or exclude pre-existing conditions. Florida does not override this with state law.
- 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. Plans must be filed and approved before being sold to Florida residents.
How Much Does Short-Term Health Insurance Cost in Florida?
Short-term health insurance premiums in Florida are typically 40 to 60 percent lower than ACA marketplace plans. Exact costs depend on your age, health status, coverage level, and deductible choice, but here are general ranges:
- Individual (age 25-35): $80 to $200 per month
- Individual (age 45-55): $150 to $350 per month
- Family plan: $250 to $600 per month
Deductibles on short-term plans typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, and maximum benefit caps (lifetime or per-period) may apply — often in the range of $250,000 to $1 million. These caps are a critical difference from ACA plans, which have no annual or lifetime limits on essential health benefits.
For context, the average ACA marketplace premium in Florida before subsidies is approximately $500 to $700 per month for a mid-tier Silver plan. However, many Floridians qualify for premium tax credits that significantly reduce this cost. Always compare short-term pricing against your subsidized ACA options before making a decision.
What Short-Term Plans Typically Cover
Coverage varies by insurer, but most short-term plans in Florida include:
- Hospitalization and inpatient surgery
- Emergency room visits
- Outpatient surgery and procedures
- Doctor office visits (sometimes 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 abuse 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 excluded, anyone with ongoing health needs — diabetes, asthma, heart disease, depression requiring medication — should think carefully before choosing a short-term plan over an ACA-compliant option.
Major Short-Term Health Insurance Providers in Florida
Several insurers offer short-term plans to Florida residents. The largest include:
- United Healthcare Short Term: Offers plans with initial terms up to 364 days, renewable up to 36 months. Multiple deductible options.
- National General (now Allstate Health Solutions): One of the most active short-term carriers in Florida, with flexible plan designs and optional riders for prescriptions and preventive care.
- Pivot Health: Offers short-term plans that include a limited benefit package for primary care and prescriptions alongside the major medical component.
- Health Markets / IHC Group: Provides multiple plan tiers with varying deductibles and benefit maximums.
You can compare plans through licensed insurance brokers, HealthCare.gov (for ACA comparison), or insurance marketplaces like eHealth and GoHealth that list both ACA and non-ACA options.
Who Should Consider Short-Term Insurance in Florida?
Short-term health insurance is designed for specific situations, not as a permanent replacement for comprehensive coverage. It may make sense if you are:
- Between jobs and waiting for new employer benefits to begin (the typical waiting period is 30 to 90 days)
- A recent college graduate aging off a parent’s plan and not yet employed with benefits
- Missed the ACA open enrollment window and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period
- Retiring before age 65 and waiting for Medicare eligibility
- Generally healthy with no pre-existing conditions and low expected medical needs
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 fill a real gap, but they carry risks that ACA plans do not:
- No guaranteed renewal: If you develop a health condition during your plan term, the insurer may decline to renew your coverage.
- Benefit caps: Lifetime or per-term maximums mean that a serious illness or accident could exhaust your coverage, leaving you responsible for the balance.
- Not ACA-compliant: Short-term plans do not count as minimum essential coverage. While Florida has no state penalty, this matters if you later apply for ACA coverage during a Special Enrollment Period — having short-term insurance does not qualify as prior coverage for SEP purposes.
- Limited appeal rights: If a claim is denied, your appeal options may be more limited than with ACA-compliant insurance.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires all short-term plans to include a prominent notice that the coverage is not ACA-compliant and may not cover all essential health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is short-term health insurance legal in Florida?
Yes. Florida permits short-term health insurance plans with initial terms up to 364 days and total renewability up to 36 months, consistent with federal guidelines.
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 from coverage, charge a higher premium, or deny your application entirely. Unlike ACA plans, short-term insurers are allowed to use medical underwriting. If you have ongoing health conditions, an ACA marketplace plan is typically a better choice.
Does short-term insurance cover prescriptions in Florida?
Most short-term plans do not include comprehensive prescription drug coverage. Some offer optional prescription discount cards or limited drug benefits as an add-on rider. 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 at any time with written notice. Some may require a 30-day notice period. Check your plan documents for the specific cancellation policy, and confirm whether any refund applies for unused coverage months.
Can I switch from short-term to an ACA plan mid-year?
Only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) — triggered by events like marriage, having a baby, losing other coverage, or moving to a new area. Simply having a short-term plan expire does not create an SEP. You would need to wait for the next Open Enrollment Period (typically November through January) to enroll in an ACA plan.
Weigh Your Options Carefully
Short term health insurance Florida plans serve a specific purpose: affordable temporary coverage for healthy individuals in transitional situations. They offer lower premiums than ACA plans but come with significant limitations, including pre-existing condition exclusions, benefit caps, and no requirement to cover essential health benefits.
Before enrolling, compare the short-term premium against your subsidized ACA marketplace options, evaluate your health needs honestly, and understand exactly what is and is not covered. For a broader perspective on managing healthcare costs, explore our articles on COBRA insurance costs, deductibles, and the factors driving insurance prices.