Florida healthcare premiums rise 10.4%

Florida residents can begin selecting health insurance plans for 2027 on Sunday.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reports that average monthly premiums on the federal marketplace will increase by 10.4% next year. This figure excludes the potential impact of available premium subsidies.

Twelve insurers will offer plans on the healthcare.gov platform, while three additional companies will sell compliant policies through private channels. Enrollment for coverage starting January 1, 2027, closes on December 15. Those seeking coverage effective February 1, 2027, have until January 15 to sign up.

Participation in the federal exchange has declined recently. More than 3.85 million Florida residents paid their first monthly premium for 2026 coverage. This represents a 10% drop from the 4.3 million who secured policies on the federal exchange in 2025. The difference is approximately 450,000 individuals, though it is not yet clear if these people became uninsured or switched to employer-sponsored coverage.

Xonjenese Jacobs, director of Florida Covering Kids and Families, said navigators are prepared to help consumers understand their options. The organization received a federal grant of $1.379 million this year, which matches last year’s amount but is a 90% reduction from the $13.79 million received in 2024. The group has contracted with five other navigator organizations to assist residents across the state.

Consumers facing rising costs are adjusting their purchasing habits. Some are switching from gold or platinum plans to bronze tiers to lower monthly premiums, accepting higher deductibles in return. Individuals under 30 may choose catastrophic plans, which feature the lowest premiums and highest deductibles. Jacobs noted that people are finding creative ways to maintain coverage despite financial pressures.

Dave Waalewyn, a commercial pilot in Leesburg, lost his employer-sponsored insurance when Spirit Airlines ceased operations earlier this year. He initially secured a private market plan for $800 a month, but the carrier questioned his medical history regarding a previous heart catheterization. He subsequently moved to a healthcare.gov policy costing $1,500 a month. Without a new job offer that provides coverage starting in December, he would have paid $18,000 annually for his insurance.

Catalina Jaramillo, a resident of Miami-Dade County, lost access to enhanced tax credits in 2026. Her monthly premiums rose from $180 to over $1,000. She now utilizes a federally qualified health center to manage her kidney disease and other conditions for approximately $180 a month. She remains grateful for the resource but notes that urgent care visits still result in significant out-of-pocket bills.