Many families pick a bronze plan to keep the monthly bill low. That can work well until someone needs big care. Here is how a high deductible works. You'll also see where supplemental coverage fits and what is new for 2027.
Florida uses HealthCare.gov. As of October 2, 2026, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027. See every date in our Florida open enrollment guide.
How a bronze plan's deductible works
A deductible is what you pay for covered care before your plan starts to pay. HealthCare.gov says bronze plans generally have a high deductible. On average, a bronze plan pays about 60% of the cost of covered care. You pay about 40%.
Family plans often have two deductibles. One is for each person. The other is for the whole family. Our guide to family health insurance mistakes explains more.
There is a yearly cap. For 2027, the most you pay for covered in-network care in a Marketplace plan is $12,000 for one person or $24,000 for a family. Premiums don't count toward it.
Some care costs nothing, even before the deductible. In most cases, shots and screening tests from in-network providers have no copay or coinsurance.
HealthCare.gov also says all bronze plans work with a Health Savings Account (HSA). An HSA lets you set money aside before taxes to pay for things like your deductible.
A hypothetical example: a hike and an ER visit
This is a made-up example to show how the numbers work. It is not a real family or client. Your plan's costs will be different.
Say a 12-year-old falls on a family hike and breaks a wrist. The bill for the ER visit, X-rays, and a cast comes to $9,400. The family has a bronze plan with a $7,000 individual deductible.
Marketplace plans must cover emergency care. But if the ER visit counts toward the deductible, the family could pay the first $7,000 of covered costs for that child. After that, they pay their share through coinsurance, up to the plan's yearly limit. Some plans charge a set copay for the ER instead, so check your plan details.
Say the family also had a supplemental accident or hospital plan. It might pay a set cash amount for an ER visit or a hospital stay, based on the plan's terms. The family could put that money toward the deductible. What it pays, and what it covers, depends on the plan. Benefits vary.
What supplemental coverage is, and what it isn't
Types include accident plans, hospital plans, and plans for one illness, like cancer. Federal rules call these "excepted benefits." That means the main ACA rules for health plans don't apply to them.
A hospital indemnity plan pays a set amount of money. It might pay a set amount for each day in the hospital or each visit. It pays that amount no matter what your bill is.
- It is not major medical coverage.
- It does not replace your ACA plan.
- It does not have to cover the 10 essential health benefits.
- Tax credits only help pay for Marketplace plans. They don't help pay for supplemental plans.
Supplemental plans are private plans. Some private plans ask health questions, and approval is not guaranteed. Some may not cover care for health problems you had before you enrolled. Marketplace plans are different. They must cover health problems you already had. They can't charge you more for them.
Questions to ask before you add a plan
- What events does it pay for, like accidents, hospital stays, or one illness?
- How much does it pay for each event, and is there a yearly limit?
- Is there a waiting period before benefits start?
- Does it ask health questions or leave out past health problems?
- Is the cash paid to you or to the doctor or hospital?
- Would a different metal level cost less overall?
Sometimes a different metal level fits better than adding a plan. If your income qualifies for extra savings, compare a Silver plan before you add a supplemental plan to a bronze plan. With extra savings, HealthCare.gov estimates a Silver plan pays 73% to 96% of covered costs, which can mean a much lower deductible. You only get extra savings with a Silver plan. See our guide to bronze vs. silver plans in Florida. To check your income first, read how to estimate your income for Marketplace coverage.
Families in Central Florida can get help comparing family plans in Orlando.
Open Enrollment 2027: what's new if you use an agent
As of October 2, 2026, CMS is adding new steps when an agent or broker helps you enroll. CMS says they will start by October 12, 2026. They apply when your agent enrolls you through a private enrollment website that connects to HealthCare.gov. Florida uses HealthCare.gov.
You approve your agent. Before an agent can work on your application, you must say yes. You may get a one-time code or link by text, email, or automated call. These codes and links expire in 15 minutes.
Some people must confirm their identity first. CMS calls these "high-risk" applications. They include:
- New applications, including people moving to a new state
- People who already have a Marketplace plan that costs $30 a month or less after tax credits (dental-only plans don't count)
- People who switch to a new or different agent
Your approval lasts for the plan year. CMS says most people who already have a plan will likely need to approve their agent again during open enrollment. Your agent also still needs your consent before looking up your information.
How to get ready now
- Make sure the phone number and email on your application are your own. CMS says agents must never put their own contact information on your application.
- If your contact information is out of date, update it yourself with the Marketplace Call Center. You can also apply on HealthCare.gov with the right information.
- If an agent helps you, have the Social Security number or immigration document number ready for each person applying for coverage. Newborns are the only exception.
- Answer any Marketplace letter about "data matching" right away. You have 90 days to confirm things like income. You have 95 days to confirm citizenship or immigration status.
If you don't send the documents, the Marketplace uses the information it already has. You could get less help or lose it. If the Marketplace can't confirm citizenship or immigration status, you could lose your Marketplace plan.
Missed open enrollment? Some life changes let you enroll later. See our guide to special enrollment in Florida.