Florida Blue vs. Ambetter vs. Oscar: How to Compare 2027 Plans
Florida Blue, Ambetter and Oscar are three names you'll see a lot when you shop for 2027 coverage. But a brand name doesn't tell you whether a plan fits your doctors, your prescriptions or your budget. The plan itself does.
Own a business with 2+ employees? A group plan may cost less (rules vary by state).
This guide shows how to compare any Florida plan on three things: the network, the drug list and the total cost for the year.
Which carriers sell in Florida for 2027?
The Florida Department of Financial Services publishes a list of the insurers that told the state they're marketing individual ACA plans starting Jan 1, 2027. It includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (Florida Blue), Oscar Insurance Company of Florida and, among the HMOs, Ambetter Health of Florida.
The state notes that these plans may be sold on the Marketplace, off the Marketplace or both, and which plans you can buy depends on where you live. Enter your ZIP code on HealthCare.gov or ask a licensed agent to see what's actually available at your address.
1. Check the network
The network is the group of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies a plan works with. The plan type decides how much freedom you have:
- HMO: usually limits coverage to doctors who work for or contract with the plan, and generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency.
- EPO: covers services only if you use the plan's network, except in an emergency.
- PPO: you pay less in network, but you can go outside the network for an additional cost.
- POS: you pay less in network and need a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist.
Before you pick, look up each doctor, specialist and hospital you use in that specific plan's provider directory, and confirm with the office. The same carrier can have several plans with different networks.
2. Check the drug list
Every plan has a drug list that shows which prescriptions it covers. Write down each medication, its dose and the pharmacy you use, then check each one against the drug list of the plan you're considering. A plan that looks cheap can cost a lot if your medication isn't on it.
3. Compare the total cost, not just the premium
You pay a monthly premium even in months you don't use care. You also pay out-of-pocket costs, such as a deductible, when you get care. Think about both when you compare.
- Metal levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) show how you and the plan share costs. They have nothing to do with quality of care.
- The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you can pay in a year for covered in-network care. For 2027 it's capped at $12,000 for an individual and $24,000 for a family. Many plans set it lower.
- Add the premium you'd pay over 12 months to the amount you might spend on care, and compare plans on that total.
If you qualify for premium tax credits, enter your income so the prices you see reflect your help. Our guide to what health insurance costs in Florida for 2027 explains the numbers.
Key 2027 dates
Open Enrollment for 2027 runs Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027. Enroll by Dec 15 for coverage that starts Jan 1; enrollments from Dec 16 to Jan 15 start Feb 1. Outside Open Enrollment, you generally need a qualifying life event, like losing coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby. See our full Open Enrollment 2027 guide for Florida and Texas.
How Health Services Pro helps
Health Services Pro is a licensed, independent agency in Sunrise, Florida, licensed in 30+ states, including Florida and Texas. We work with 50+ carriers and have Spanish-speaking agents. We don't offer every plan available in your area, so we can only compare the plans we sell. Working with a licensed broker generally costs nothing extra, because brokers are typically paid by the carriers. See our Florida individual and family plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is Florida Blue better than Ambetter or Oscar? There's no single best carrier. The right plan is the one whose network includes your doctors, whose drug list covers your medications and whose total yearly cost fits your budget.
Do all Florida plans cover the same doctors? No. Networks differ by carrier and by plan, so check each doctor in the specific plan's provider directory before you enroll.
What's the difference between an HMO and a PPO? An HMO usually limits coverage to its network and generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. A PPO costs less in network but lets you go outside the network for an additional cost.
Does a Gold or Platinum plan mean better care? No. Metal levels show how you and the plan share costs. They have nothing to do with quality of care.
What's the most I could pay out of pocket in 2027? For 2027 the out-of-pocket maximum is capped at $12,000 for an individual and $24,000 for a family for covered in-network care.
Get your quote
Compare 2027 plans from 50+ carriers in one call: request a quote or call (954) 736-0885.