Broward County is Fort Lauderdale, a tourism, cruise-port, and business economy built on people who work for themselves. Charter and marine operators, consultants and agency freelancers, and small-business owners tied to the port and the visitor trade all share one thing: no health benefits from a W-2 employer. If that's you, here are your real coverage options in Broward County, how self-employment shapes the smart choice, and the one Florida wrinkle to know before you buy.

The quick answer for Broward County residents

If you're self-employed in Broward County, you have solid options, starting with comprehensive ACA marketplace coverage, which is available to everyone and often comes with income based subsidies that make it more affordable than the self-employed expect. Short term plans exist too, but they're a limited, temporary bridge, not real insurance, and in Florida, how long one can actually last depends on the specific carrier's approved form. Coverage is regulated at the state level, so Florida's rules apply across the county.

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Your coverage options in Broward County

ACA marketplace coverage, comprehensive, guaranteed issue plans through HealthCare.gov, frequently with income based subsidies. For a self-employed earner with variable income, this is usually the smartest place to start.

Short term health insurance, temporary, medically underwritten coverage for a defined gap; excludes preexisting conditions; not minimum essential coverage.

Extended (long duration) short term plans, Florida law allows longer totals, but see the carrier caveat below.

Fixed indemnity / hospital cash plans, supplemental coverage that pays a fixed cash amount per covered event; an add-on, not comprehensive coverage.

Medicaid, Florida has not expanded Medicaid, so some adults fall into a coverage gap; still worth checking eligibility.

How Florida's rules apply in Broward County

Florida's own statute (Fla. Stat. 627.6426) allows a short term plan to have an initial term under 12 months and a total duration up to 36 months. But here's the Florida-specific catch: some carrier forms may still be filed to the shorter federal template, so the term you can actually buy depends on the carrier's approved form, always confirm the duration on the specific plan. Florida also requires a signed 12-point ACA-noncompliance disclosure at purchase. These plans are medically underwritten, don't cover preexisting conditions, and are not minimum essential coverage. (The 2024 federal 3–4 month cap is currently not being enforced.)

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Who this fits in Broward County

A charter or marine-services operator with income that swings by season, an ACA plan with subsidies based on your actual net income is often the most affordable, most complete option; check before assuming it's out of reach.

A consultant or agency freelancer who missed Open Enrollment and needs a short bridge, a short term plan can fill a defined gap, as long as you confirm the term the carrier can actually sell.

A small-business owner who just left group coverage, losing that coverage may open a Special Enrollment Period for a comprehensive ACA plan, usually the better long term route; short term is the stopgap in the meantime.

How to enroll from Broward County

Short term and fixed indemnity plans can be applied for year round, directly or through a licensed broker, subject to Florida's limits and the carrier's approved form. Comprehensive coverage runs through HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment in the fall through early winter, plus Special Enrollment Periods after qualifying life events. Because self-employed income varies, it's worth re-running your numbers at enrollment: subsidy eligibility is based on your projected income, and many independent earners qualify for more help than they expect. Short term pricing depends on age, where you live in the county, tobacco use, term length, and underwriting, not a set price.

Matthew T. Giberti Licensed Insurance Producer · National Producer Number: 20698856 About Matthew →

Short term and fixed indemnity plans are not major medical coverage and are not minimum essential coverage under the ACA; they are medically underwritten and may exclude preexisting conditions. Coverage rules reflect Florida law as of the last updated date and can change; confirm current terms and the specific plan's approved form before you enroll. Last updated: 2026-07.

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Short term health insurance in FloridaFlorida statute allows an initial term under 12 months and up to 36 months total. The term you can actually buy depends on the carrier's approved form. Extended short term medical in FloridaFlorida statute allows an initial term under 12 months and up to 36 months total. The term you can actually buy depends on the carrier's approved form. Fixed indemnity insurance in FloridaFixed indemnity pays a set cash amount per covered event or hospital day regardless of the bill, a supplement to health insurance rather than a replacement for it. Florida regulates it as limited benefit coverage under the Office of Insurance Regulation.