Moving to Florida? Sort Out Your Health Insurance Early

Your old plan may not travel well

Many plans are built around a local network, which is the list of doctors and hospitals the plan has agreements with. Some pay little or nothing for care far from that area. Before the move, call the number on your card and ask two questions. Does the plan cover routine care in Florida? And what happens to the plan once your address changes?

Some plans require you to live in their service area to keep the plan. Get the answer in writing, along with the date coverage stops.

Do not cancel until the new plan is active

Moving day is busy, and it is easy to cancel something too early. Keep your current coverage until the new plan is confirmed and active. Then end the old one on a date that lines up, so you do not pay twice for the same days or go without.

If your employer plan comes with you

If you are moving with the same employer or working remotely, ask HR how the plan works for a Florida address, and whether the network reaches here. If you are starting a new job in Florida, ask when the new employer plan begins. A waiting period at a new job is common, and you will need something to cover those weeks.

What a move can open up on the Marketplace

Moving to a new ZIP code or county with different plan options can open a special enrollment period on HealthCare.gov, which Florida uses. There are conditions, such as having had coverage before the move, and a move only for vacation or medical treatment does not count. You generally have sixty days, so start looking before you go.

We do not sell Marketplace plans. If you want a Marketplace plan, start at HealthCare.gov.

A private plan for your new address

A private plan can be applied for any time of year, which helps when a move does not match a yearly enrollment date. The plans we offer are private plans, not ACA Marketplace plans, and they have exclusions and limitations. An advisor explains the details.

Plans are sold by state, so what you can apply for depends on where you will live. Tell your advisor your new address. Our plans are for people under 65. If you split the year between Florida and another state, say so, because a plan's network may not follow you.

Florida things worth planning for

Hurricane season is part of life here. Keep a list of your medications, find out how early you can refill, and know where your nearest in-network urgent care is. Our blog has a short guide to refills before a storm.

Before you leave your old doctors, ask for copies of your records, a list of your prescriptions and, if you have a specialist, a name or two in Florida. New doctors can start from something instead of from nothing.