Can I keep my doctor with private PPO health insurance?

Yes. We verify your doctors are in-network before you enroll. Our licensed advisors only recommend health insurance plans that include your providers when available.

What is a private PPO health insurance plan?

Private PPO plans are off-exchange health insurance options available only through licensed agents like RKA. They often include broader nationwide networks and different cost structures than marketplace plans.

Do I qualify for health insurance savings?

Many households qualify for income-based premium tax credits on marketplace health insurance plans. Our licensed advisors estimate your monthly contribution and compare marketplace vs private PPO options.

When can I enroll in health insurance?

Private PPO health insurance plans are available year-round. Marketplace plans have Open Enrollment periods and Special Enrollment windows. Speak to one of our licensed advisors to verify what you're eligible for.

Private PPO • Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Health Insurance for Self-Employed in Fort Lauderdale: Private PPO vs. Marketplace

Fast take: Fort Lauderdale and Broward County are full of independent earners — the marine and yachting industry, real estate and construction, hospitality along the beach and Las Olas, finance and professional services, and a large creative and LGBTQ+ small-business community. A lot of that income is commission-based or above the ACA subsidy line. If you're paying full price on a Broward marketplace plan, you may be overpaying for a narrow network. We compare private medically-underwritten PPO plans against the marketplace for your situation, verify your doctors, and tell you honestly which one wins.

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Broward CountyWe cover Fort Lauderdale & all of Broward

Above 400% FPLNo marketplace subsidy — the income cliff is back

Year-roundPrivate PPO plans enroll any month — no window

Why Fort Lauderdale's self-employed get hit hardest

Broward runs on independent work. The marine and yachting trades along the New River and Port Everglades, real estate agents and contractors from Las Olas and Victoria Park to Plantation, Davie, and Coral Springs, hospitality and tourism along the beach, finance and professional-services pros, and a deep base of creative and small-business owners, many in and around Wilton Manors. Much of this income is irregular or above the subsidy threshold — exactly where the ACA marketplace stops helping: no subsidy, full-price premiums, and often a narrow HMO or EPO network.

With the enhanced subsidies expired, the 400% federal-poverty-level cliff is back, so more Fort Lauderdale households are paying unsubsidized rates. That's the moment to compare, not auto-renew.

Marketplace vs. private PPO in Fort Lauderdale

Broward marketplace (ACA)

Strong value if your income qualifies for a subsidy
Guaranteed issue — covers pre-existing conditions and maternity
Often HMO/EPO with a regional network
Full-price premiums above the subsidy line
Enroll only during open enrollment

Private nationwide PPO

Priced on your health, not your income
Broad nationwide PPO network — no referrals
Useful if you travel for work or split time out of state
Enroll any month of the year
Medically underwritten — not everyone qualifies

Broward care networks matter. Before switching anything, we verify your doctors and hospitals — whether that's Broward Health, Holy Cross Health, Memorial Healthcare System, or Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. A broad PPO can keep more of these in-network than a regional marketplace HMO, but it depends on the specific plan — which is why we check yours.

Who this fits in Fort Lauderdale

Self-employed, 1099, or small-business owners paying $500+/month unsubsidized
Marine/yachting, real estate, hospitality, finance, and creative professionals
Healthy households above the subsidy line who want a bigger network
Frequent travelers who need coverage beyond South Florida
If you have significant health history or qualify for a strong subsidy, the marketplace is usually the better call — and we'll tell you so

See your Fort Lauderdale options — in about 60 seconds

We compare private PPO and Broward marketplace plans for your exact situation, verify your doctors, and show clear costs — free, no obligation.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this marketplace (ACA) insurance?

No. We're an independent, licensed Florida brokerage — not affiliated with HealthCare.gov. We compare private, off-marketplace PPO plans against your marketplace options. If you qualify for a meaningful subsidy, we'll tell you honestly the marketplace is probably your better deal.

Can I keep my Fort Lauderdale doctors on a private PPO?

Often yes — private PPOs use broad national networks that include many Broward providers. It depends on the specific plan, so we verify your exact doctors and hospitals (Broward Health, Holy Cross, Memorial, Cleveland Clinic Florida, and others) before you enroll.

Who qualifies for a private plan?

Private plans are medically underwritten — they generally fit people in reasonably good health above the subsidy line. Those with significant pre-existing conditions are usually better served by a guaranteed-issue marketplace plan.

Can I enroll outside open enrollment?

Usually yes. Marketplace plans require open enrollment or a qualifying life event; private underwritten plans can be applied for any time of year, subject to health qualification.

Does it cost anything to work with you?

No. A licensed independent advisor is paid by the carriers, so comparing your options and enrolling costs you nothing.

Serving Floridians statewide: Miami · Tampa · Orlando · Fort Lauderdale · Jacksonville

More for Florida's self-employed: Florida self-employed health insurance guide · Self-employed health insurance

Reviewed by Robert Adams

President & Licensed Agent, RKA Insurance Advisors · NPN 19540130 · (561) 806-9913

For educational purposes only. RKA Insurance Advisors is an independent, licensed health insurance brokerage, NPN 19540130, and is not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. Plan availability, pricing, networks, and eligibility vary by carrier, plan, and county and are subject to change — confirm your specific doctors, prescriptions, and plan documents before enrolling. Private plans are medically underwritten and not ACA-compliant; not all applicants qualify. We do not offer Medicare. This content is not insurance, legal, tax, or financial advice.