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 • Tampa, Florida

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

Fast take: Tampa Bay's economy runs heavy on self-employment — finance and professional services downtown, contractors and trades across the suburbs, healthcare and tech around USF, and a fast-growing freelance and remote-work base. If your income is above the ACA subsidy line, you're paying full price — often for a narrow HMO network. We compare private medically-underwritten PPO plans against the Hillsborough-area marketplace for your situation, verify your Tampa doctors, and tell you honestly which one wins.

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Tampa BayWe cover Hillsborough, Pinellas & Pasco

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

Year-roundPrivate PPO plans enroll any month — no window

Why Tampa's self-employed get hit hardest

Tampa Bay has boomed with independent workers: professional-services and finance pros in downtown and Westshore, trades and construction contractors across Brandon, Riverview, and Wesley Chapel, healthcare and university professionals around USF, real estate agents from South Tampa to St. Pete, and a wave of remote workers and freelancers who relocated here. A lot of that income is variable and above the subsidy threshold — which is exactly where the ACA marketplace stops helping: no subsidy, full-price premiums, and often an HMO or EPO network built around a single system.

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

Marketplace vs. private PPO in Tampa

Tampa Bay 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

Tampa care networks matter. Before switching anything, we verify your doctors and hospitals — whether that's Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth Tampa, BayCare (St. Joseph's), Moffitt Cancer Center, or USF Health. 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 Tampa

Self-employed, 1099, or small-business owners paying $500+/month unsubsidized
Finance and professional-services pros, contractors, real estate agents, remote workers
Healthy households above the subsidy line who want a bigger network
Frequent travelers who need coverage beyond Tampa Bay
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 Tampa options — in about 60 seconds

We compare private PPO and Tampa Bay 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 Tampa doctors on a private PPO?

Often yes — private PPOs use broad national networks that include many Tampa Bay providers. It depends on the specific plan, so we verify your exact doctors and hospitals (Tampa General, AdventHealth, BayCare, Moffitt, 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.

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.