How Can I Find the Best Florida Individual Health Insurance?

Florida has a vibrant and competitive health insurance market with a large number of providers competing for your business. Unfortunately, Florida has also attracted a few unscrupulous actors who have put together insurance scams as well. To protect yourself and your family, purchase health insurance only from experienced agents with current insurance licenses in good standing with the Department of Insurance Regulation.

Instructions

• 1

  Know your budget. Not every insurance policy is appropriate for you, and the best policy in the world is useless if you cannot afford to pay the premiums required to keep it in force. Fortunately, most insurance companies will let you customize policies by selecting from among different deductible levels and making other changes to plan structures.

• 2

  Contact a licensed insurance agent. You can verify that a given agent has a license in good standing by visiting the State of Florida Department of Financial Regulation agent search site (see Resource section).

• 3

  Obtain quotes from several different carriers. Every health insurance company underwrites and prices policies differently -- a company that would offer a great deal to a person with high blood pressure that is controllable by medication may not offer a great deal to some who is perfectly healthy. Look for an agent that can "shop" your application to several different health carriers.

• 4

  Answer the health questions accurately. Remember that the carrier will be comparing your answers to medical records they request from your health care providers.

• 5

  Select the best plan from among the different quotes you receive. The best plan is frequently not the plan with the lowest premium. Look at a combination of factors, including exclusions, deductibles, coinsurance levels, the annual maximum out-of-pocket charges, and whether the policy covers prescription drugs. Also look carefully at any restrictions that may apply to your freedom to select your own doctor.