Individual and Family Health Insurance in Georgia and Florida
Whether you just lost employer coverage, went out on your own, or simply realized your current plan is not working the way you expected, you have more options than the government marketplace shows you — and a broker who compares all of them at no additional cost to you.
Without an Employer Plan, the Choices Feel Overwhelming
WHEN EMPLOYER COVERAGE ENDS
Losing job-based coverage is one of the most disorienting moments in a person's coverage history. The 60-day Special Enrollment Period clock starts immediately, the options multiply fast, and most of what you find online is either a carrier trying to sell you their plan or a government site that shows you prices without context.
Self-employed individuals face the same landscape year-round: no HR department, no default enrollment, and no one whose job it is to make sure the plan they chose actually covers the doctors and medications they rely on.
Hughes Mitchell Insurance exists for exactly this situation. We work with individuals and families across Florida and Georgia — from Sarasota County to the Atlanta metro — who need someone to sort through available options with them, not for them to navigate alone.
What We Review Before We Recommend Anything
Price is the easiest thing to compare and often the least useful number to lead with. Before we discuss a specific plan, we ask:
- Which doctors and specialists do you want to keep seeing?
- What prescriptions do you take regularly, and what does each cost you now?
- What is your realistic monthly budget, including what you can absorb in a deductible year?
- Have you had coverage gaps before, and did those gaps create any issues?
We then run your prescriptions and providers against the formularies and networks of every available plan in your area — across all A-rated carriers we represent — and show you what actually covers your life, not just what has the lowest premium on a comparison chart.
Coverage Options for Individuals and Families
ACA Marketplace Insurance
Federally subsidized health plans available during open enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods. If your income falls within a qualifying range, you may be eligible for premium tax credits that significantly reduce your monthly cost — including if you are self-employed. We assess subsidy eligibility as part of every ACA consultation.
Short-Term Health Insurance
Temporary coverage for gaps between jobs, after aging off a parent's plan, or during other transitions where a full ACA plan is not the right fit. Short-term plans carry important limitations — we explain them clearly before recommending one.
Dental and Vision Insurance
Standalone dental and vision plans available for individuals and families. Self-service quoting is available for clients who prefer to compare and enroll independently.
Travel Medical Insurance
Short-term medical coverage for international travel, extended trips, or time spent outside your primary plan's service area. Particularly relevant for Florida and Georgia residents who travel internationally or spend extended time abroad.
Off-Exchange Underwritten Health Insurance
If you are in good health and paying full unsubsidized ACA marketplace rates, there may be a lower-cost alternative. Off-exchange underwritten individual plans price based on your health profile rather than a community risk pool — which means healthier applicants frequently qualify for better premiums than the marketplace offers at the same income level. LifeX is Hughes Mitchell's primary carrier offering in this category.
Medi-Share — Christian Health Sharing
A faith-based alternative to traditional health insurance for individuals and families whose values align with a cost-sharing model. Medi-Share is not insurance and does not carry the same regulatory protections as an ACA marketplace plan — we explain that distinction clearly before recommending it. For the right person, it can be a meaningful and cost-effective option.
If You Are Self-Employed, You May Qualify for More Help Than You Think
One of the most common conversations we have with self-employed clients in Florida and Georgia is the moment they realize they qualify for a premium tax credit under the ACA — and have been overpaying, or going without coverage, for years as a result.
Subsidy eligibility is based on projected annual income, household size, and whether you have access to other qualifying coverage. It is not limited to low-income households. A sole proprietor or freelancer with a moderate income may qualify for meaningful monthly savings on a comprehensive plan.
We assess subsidy eligibility as a standard part of every individual enrollment consultation. If you qualify, we factor it into the comparison from the start.
Do Not Let the 60-Day Window Close Without a Plan
Loss of employer coverage is a qualifying life event that opens a Special Enrollment Period — but that window is 60 days from the date coverage ends, not 60 days from when you get around to researching options. After that window closes, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period or go without coverage in the interim.
If you recently lost job-based insurance or are approaching a coverage change, the first call is the most important one. We will confirm your enrollment window, identify your options, and give you a clear picture of what is available before the deadline passes.
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my individual health insurance options in Florida or Georgia if I do not have employer coverage?
Your primary options include ACA Marketplace plans, short-term health insurance, and — for qualifying situations — association health plans or faith-based health sharing arrangements. Which option fits depends on your income, health history, timeline, and whether you qualify for premium tax credits. We walk through all of it in a first consultation at no cost to you.
How do I get health insurance if I do not have an employer plan?
The most important first step is determining whether you have a Special Enrollment Period available — which applies if you recently lost coverage, had a baby, got married, or experienced another qualifying life event. Outside of a Special Enrollment Period, coverage options depend on the time of year and your specific situation. A licensed broker can identify what is available to you right now.
What is the best health insurance option for a self-employed person in Georgia or Florida?
It depends on your income, household size, and how you structured your business income for the year — all factors that affect ACA subsidy eligibility. Many self-employed individuals qualify for subsidized Marketplace plans and are unaware of it. We assess that as part of every consultation and compare across all available carriers before making a recommendation.
Can I keep my current doctors if I switch health insurance plans?
That depends entirely on the plan's provider network. We check your specific physicians and specialists against the networks of every plan we are comparing before we recommend anything — not after you enroll. Network compatibility is one of the first things we verify, alongside formulary coverage for your prescriptions.
Do I pay more to use a broker instead of shopping on my own?
No. Independent brokers are compensated by the carrier, not the client. You pay the same premium whether you enroll through us or directly — and you gain an ongoing point of contact who can help at renewal, during a claim, or when
Ready to Find Out What You Actually Qualify For?
One conversation with Jenny or Grace gives you a clear picture of your options, your subsidy eligibility, and which plans hold up in the real world — not just on a comparison screen. We serve individuals and families across all of Florida and all of Georgia.
