Pasco County sits on the fast-growing northern edge of the Tampa Bay metro, with New Port Richey as its longtime hub and newer suburban communities pulling families up from Tampa and in from out of state. If you've just moved to Pasco, for a shorter commute, more house for the money, or a fresh start near the Gulf, your old health plan may not follow you, and a permanent move can actually open the door to new coverage. Here's how it works for new Pasco County residents in 2026.

The quick answer for Pasco County residents

Good news for new arrivals: a permanent move to a new area is a qualifying life event that usually opens a Special Enrollment Period for a comprehensive ACA marketplace plan, so you may be able to enroll now, outside the normal Open Enrollment window. Short term plans are available too as a temporary bridge, but they are not ACA coverage and not minimum essential coverage. Insurance is regulated at the state level, so Florida's rules apply across Pasco County.

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Your coverage options in Pasco County

ACA marketplace coverage, comprehensive, guaranteed issue plans through HealthCare.gov, often with income based subsidies. A permanent move can trigger a Special Enrollment Period, so start here.

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 Pasco 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 Pasco County

A family relocating from another state who needs coverage in place before the boxes are unpacked, the move usually opens a Special Enrollment Period for a comprehensive ACA plan, which is the right long term choice.

A remote worker who moved up from Tampa and whose plan's network no longer fits the new area, updating to a marketplace plan tied to your new address keeps care in network.

A new arrival waiting on a new job's benefits to start, a short term plan can bridge a short, defined gap, as long as you confirm the term the carrier can actually sell.

How to enroll from Pasco County

If you just moved, start with HealthCare.gov and report your new address: a permanent move typically opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to choose a comprehensive plan now, in addition to the annual fall-through-winter Open Enrollment. Short term and fixed indemnity plans aren't tied to Open Enrollment, you can generally apply year round, directly or through a licensed broker, subject to Florida's limits and the carrier's approved form. What you pay for a short term plan depends on your age, where you live in the county, tobacco use, the term length, and medical underwriting, not a set price.

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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.