▶Watch: Private PPO vs. ACA Marketplace — which is right for you? (50 sec)
Talk to a real, licensed advisor — not a bot or a call center.
A real licensed advisor who buys their own health coverage too, and shops your plan like it’s their own.
Can you still get private health insurance in Tampa? Yes — and Florida has the deepest individual-market bench in the country, with more than a dozen carriers competing. But 2026 rates rose a weighted average of 31.5% statewide, hitting roughly 4.5 million Floridians right as the enhanced federal subsidies expired. If you don't qualify for a subsidy, comparing every option is worth real money. We compare private medical plans side by side with HealthCare.gov marketplace coverage — here is how the Tampa Bay market actually looks this year.
We help individuals, families, and self-employed residents across Tampa Bay — not just the city of Tampa. Plans, prices, and networks change by county and ZIP code, so we quote every option available at your exact address:
Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico and Plant City.
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Dunedin.
Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes and New Port Richey.
Hospital access matters wherever you live. Depending on the plan, residents may want Tampa General Hospital, BayCare (St. Joseph's, Morton Plant), AdventHealth, Moffitt Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins All Children's in network — we check your doctors and preferred hospitals against each plan's current network before you enroll.
For 2026, the Tampa Bay market draws from Florida's deep carrier bench: Florida Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida), Cigna — which offers PPO plans alongside a new HMO — plus Oscar, Molina, UnitedHealthcare, Simply Healthcare/Wellpoint, Sunshine State Health Plan, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Ambetter (new off-exchange entrant), with availability varying by county. Aetna exited the individual market nationwide for 2026.
That makes plan selection in Tampa a question of networks and plan type: which plan actually includes your hospital system, whether a PPO is available at your ZIP code — and whether you qualify for coverage outside the individual market entirely.
Searching for "insurance that covers Tampa General Hospital" or "a private plan that accepts Moffitt"? Tampa Bay's hospital line-up is among Florida's strongest, and network access varies sharply by plan. Many lower-cost marketplace plans are narrow HMO or EPO plans; private PPO plans with national networks can open access to more of these systems.
Ranked #6 in Florida by U.S. News & World Report — the region's academic medical center with USF Health and a Level I trauma center.
An NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center — one of the nation's leading cancer hospitals.
St. Joseph's and a network of hospitals across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.
Part of one of the nation's largest faith-based systems, with advanced surgical and cardiac programs.
St. Petersburg's nationally connected pediatric hospital.
Whether these systems are in your network depends entirely on which plan you choose — and it changes year to year. Before you enroll, we verify your doctors and preferred hospitals against each plan's current network so there are no surprises.
See insurance options for all of Florida's top-ranked hospitals, including Mayo Clinic →
With the enhanced federal subsidies expired and rates up sharply, many Tampa Bay households are paying full price for the first time. Your exact premium depends on your age, ZIP code, and household size — which is why we quote every carrier and every route to coverage before recommending anything.
Traditional marketplace and off-exchange plans are not the only route. Many Tampa Bay residents — especially the self-employed, independent contractors, and small-business owners — also qualify for true employer-level group coverage regulated under federal ERISA and Department of Labor rules. Qualifying as a bona fide employee takes only a few basic requirements — full-time work is not required — and pre-existing conditions are covered, just as with any employer group plan. You get the same kind of group PPO coverage large employers offer, with nationwide networks like Cigna, Multiplan/PHCS, Aetna, First Choice Health, and in some states Blue Cross with national Blue Card, and enrollment is open year-round, not just during open enrollment. Availability is subject to eligibility. Call us to see if you qualify.
The honest answer: it depends on your subsidy. If you qualify for a meaningful premium tax credit, a marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov is usually the better value. If you get little or no subsidy — the situation many Tampa households found themselves in after the enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025 — an off-exchange private medical plan or employer-level group coverage frequently wins on network, price, or both. A five-minute comparison settles it, and our service is free either way.
Yes. Beyond on- and off-exchange marketplace plans, we also offer exclusive private, employer-group (ERISA) PPO options with nationwide networks like Cigna, Multiplan/PHCS, Aetna, First Choice Health, and in some states Blue Cross with national Blue Card. These plans aren’t published on the public marketplace, enrollment is open year-round, and availability is subject to eligibility. Call us to see if you qualify.
Yes. Every ACA-compliant private plan covers pre-existing conditions — no medical questions, no exclusions. ERISA employer-level group plans cover pre-existing conditions as well, just as with any employer coverage.
Network access to Tampa Bay's major systems depends on the specific plan, and it changes year to year. We verify your doctors and hospitals against each plan's current network before you enroll.
Tampa General participates with selected plans, and participation can differ between plans from the same insurance company. Narrow HMO plans may leave it out. Tell us you want Tampa General and we'll check each marketplace and private PPO option at your ZIP code before you enroll.
Some plans include Moffitt and others don't, and access can depend on plan type and referral rules. We check which options include Moffitt before you enroll.
Marketplace and off-exchange ACA plans: during the annual fall open enrollment period, or year-round within 60 days of a qualifying life event. Employer-level ERISA group plans: enrollment is open year-round for those who qualify. We also have other exclusive, proprietary private healthcare PPO plan options beyond what is published online. Contact us for specific details.
Yes. We help residents throughout Tampa Bay, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Largo and Plant City and surrounding communities. Everything is handled by phone and online, so there's no need to visit an office.
No. Premiums are identical with or without an agent — carriers pay us, not you. You get the comparison and enrollment help at no cost.
Compare Every Private Health Plan Available at Your Tampa ZIP Code
Free comparison from a licensed advisor — marketplace, off-exchange, and employer-level coverage buy-in options.
Call (800) 939-3330 Get My Plan Options
Plus exclusive, proprietary private healthcare PPO options generally not published online — click Get My Plan Options or call us for details.
Rate change figures are 2026 weighted averages from Florida regulatory filings; premiums vary by age, ZIP code, and household size. Employer-level group plan availability subject to eligibility requirements.
