Florida COBRA and Continuation Coverage Guide

“COBRA” can refer to different continuation rights. Federal COBRA and Florida's Health Insurance Coverage Continuation Act have different scope, eligibility, procedures, and exclusions. The employer size alone does not establish a right; identify the plan type and governing notice first.

Federal COBRA in Florida

Federal COBRA generally applies to group health plans maintained by private-sector or state and local government employers with at least 20 employees on more than 50% of typical business days in the previous calendar year. A qualifying event must cause loss of coverage, the person must be a qualified beneficiary, and other requirements apply. Each qualified beneficiary generally has at least 60 days to elect, measured from the later of the coverage-loss date or the date the election notice is provided.

Florida continuation coverage

Florida Statute §627.6692 provides continuation rights for certain group health insurance arrangements not subject to federal COBRA. It is commonly associated with insured small-employer groups, but it does not apply to every 2–19 employee arrangement or self-funded plan.

The statute contains detailed rules about who may qualify, the events covered, notice and election procedure, premiums, duration, replacement coverage, and exclusions. Use the actual insurer or employer notice and the current statute. Do not assume the federal COBRA election clock or procedures apply to Florida continuation.

Agency names matter. Florida insurance regulation and consumer assistance involve the Florida Department of Financial Services and the Office of Insurance Regulation—not a generic “Florida Department of Insurance.” For a coverage-rights dispute, contact the responsible plan or issuer and an appropriate regulator or attorney.

Marketplace enrollment after job-based coverage ends

Loss of qualifying job-based coverage can create a separate Marketplace SEP, generally 60 days before and 60 days after the loss. Marketplace coverage is generally prospective. Verify requested documents, the displayed effective date, and first-premium deadline through HealthCare.gov.

How costs should be compared

There is no credible city-level “average COBRA price.” COBRA cost is based on the former employer plan. Marketplace pricing depends on age, ZIP code, household, expected annual income, plan year, and selected plan. Issuer participation also varies by county and year.

Factor	Why it matters
Premium	Use the actual continuation notice and current plan preview—not a city estimate.
Deductible progress	COBRA may preserve progress; a new individual plan usually starts under its own terms.
Network and formulary	Verify with the issuer, provider, and pharmacy; directories can change.
Expected annual household income	May affect Marketplace savings under current federal rules.
Effective date and deadline	A cheaper premium is not useful if it creates an unintended coverage gap.

Find current Florida plans and official help

Preview current county- and ZIP-specific Marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov plan preview.
Review Florida insurance information through the Florida DFS Division of Consumer Services and Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
For federal COBRA questions about private-sector plans, use Ask EBSA or call 1-866-444-3272.

What Caden can and cannot do

Caden can review available options for which he is authorized and appointed and help with enrollment when permitted. He cannot determine continuation eligibility, enroll someone in COBRA or Medicaid, represent every issuer, or guarantee a provider or prescription is covered. No separate consumer fee is charged for the 15-minute consultation described here; Caden Douglas may receive insurer compensation if enrollment occurs through him.

Review your Florida coverage paths

Bring the continuation notice, coverage-end date, ZIP code, household details, providers, and prescriptions to a 15-minute phone call.

Book a 15-minute call

About the author: Caden Douglas, Florida insurance license G056803. Florida license lookup.

Primary sources

Sources accessed and content reviewed August 18, 2026.

Disclosure: General insurance education only; not legal, tax, or medical advice, an eligibility decision, or a binding quote. Official notices, plan terms, statutes, and agency decisions control. Caden Douglas is not affiliated with or endorsed by a government agency. Appointments and products vary, and he does not represent every plan. Report a correction through douglasinsurancegrp.com. Privacy · Terms.