Private Health Insurance Broker Serving Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota has more early retirees and part-year residents than almost anywhere in Florida, plus a deep bench of self-employed professionals, artists and contractors. Most of them buy their own coverage, and many have just lost the tax credit that made it affordable.
Private health insurance in Sarasota
Most people I help in Sarasota end up on a private plan, not a Marketplace plan. Private, medically underwritten health insurance is priced on your age, zip code and health instead of your income, so a strong year never raises your premium and there is no tax credit to pay back in April.
Why people leave the Marketplace
- Premiums keep climbing. Sarasota Marketplace premiums are rising 10.4% on average for 2027.
- The subsidy cliff. Above 400 percent of the poverty level ($63,840 for one person, $132,000 for a family of four) you pay full price.
- Surprise tax bills. Underestimate your income and you repay the tax credit in April.
- Narrow networks. Many plans are local HMOs or EPOs that need referrals and cover little outside the area.
- High out-of-pocket costs. 2027 out-of-pocket maximums reach $12,000 per person and $24,000 per family.
- One window a year. Outside open enrollment you need a qualifying life event to enroll or switch.
What a private plan does differently
- Start any month. If approved, coverage can begin the first of next month, with no wait for open enrollment.
- Networks that travel. Many private plans use national PPO networks, which can give you in-network doctors outside Sarasota too. Networks vary by plan.
- Can cost less than full-price Marketplace plans for some healthy applicants above the subsidy line.
- Accident coverage the Marketplace does not offer. A private plan can be paired with accident coverage, a separate policy. What it includes varies by plan.
- Approval is based on health. You answer health questions, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
With a significant health condition, or income low enough for a large tax credit, a Marketplace plan can be the better fit, and I will tell you if it is. Either way you see both side by side.
Private plans are not ACA Marketplace plans. Benefits, exclusions and pre-existing condition rules differ by plan and by state, so review the plan details before you enroll.
Get a private plan quoteLearn more: coverage not based on income · how underwriting works · private vs Obamacare · PPO plans for individuals · switching from the Marketplace
Who we help in Sarasota
We work with early retirees between 55 and 64 bridging to Medicare, couples who split the year between Sarasota and a northern home, consultants and financial professionals downtown, contractors and pool and landscape businesses in North Port and Venice, and artists and performers tied to the arts district. Most are comparing a private, medically underwritten PPO against a marketplace plan for the first time, and most have never had both prices side by side.
Local hospitals and networks
Sarasota Memorial is a public hospital system with campuses in Sarasota and Venice, and it is the hospital most residents want covered. Confirm it is in network on any plan before enrolling, along with any specialists you see in Tampa or St. Petersburg.
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Venice
- HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital
- Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Areas we serve around Sarasota
Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Osprey, Nokomis, Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch, and everywhere in between. Licensed in 31 states, including Florida, so I can keep helping you if you move.
Private plan or marketplace plan?
If your household qualifies for a subsidy or someone has a serious condition, the marketplace is usually the answer and we enroll you there at no cost. If you are healthy and above the subsidy range, a private PPO priced on your health instead of your income may cost less; check that the hospitals above are in its network. We show you both numbers and tell you which one we would pick.
Read more: what to do when you earn too much for a subsidy, family plans, and our Tampa broker guide.
Early retirement and the subsidy line in Sarasota
Retiring early is common here, and it is also the situation most exposed to the 2027 subsidy rules. A couple's pension, IRA withdrawals and a little consulting income can land just over the 400 percent line, $86,560 for two for 2027 coverage, and above that the Marketplace costs full price at the age when premiums are highest. Planning withdrawals with your advisor before open enrollment can keep a couple under the line. If that is not possible and you are both healthy, a private plan priced on health rather than income may cost less. The early retiree guide and the subsidy cliff guide cover the details.
Part-year residents
Many Sarasota clients spend summers in Ohio, Michigan or the Northeast. Your plan is based on your primary residence, and most Florida Marketplace HMOs cover only emergencies outside the state. If you are under 65 and split the year, a national PPO network usually serves you better, and I am licensed in many of the states Sarasota's snowbirds come from, including Ohio and Michigan.
Self-employed Sarasota
Real estate, financial planning, marine services, construction and the arts make up a large share of Sarasota's self-employed. Income in those fields swings, which matters for the Marketplace credit. The Florida self-employed guide explains how to estimate it.
Send me your zip code, household ages and doctors, and I will compare Marketplace and private options for Sarasota County. Get a quote.
Sarasota questions
Is Sarasota Memorial Hospital in network on the plans you sell?
On many private PPO plans, yes. On Marketplace plans it depends on the plan. I confirm before you enroll.
I split the year between Sarasota and another state. Which plan should I get?
Coverage based in your primary residence state with a network that works in both places. A national PPO is often the better fit than a Florida HMO.
Can early retirees in Sarasota get a private plan any month?
Yes. Private plans start the first of any month if you are approved. Marketplace plans need open enrollment or a qualifying event.
Do you work with clients in Venice and North Port?
Yes. All of Sarasota County, by phone and video.
Is there a fee to work with you?
No. The carrier pays the broker, and your premium is the same either way.
Other Tampa Bay areas
Reviews
Real words from real families we've helped.
Extremely helpful with a desire to assist you. He seems very passionate for the people he is offering help to. I would highly recommend him for services that are available for you.
Frank was great to work with! He made the entire insurance process easy to understand, answered all my questions, and helped me find the right coverage for my needs. He was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about helping me. I highly recommend Frank to anyone looking for insurance!
Very knowledgeable, made things very clear it felt like he truly cared about my family’s situation. Bonus points frank is bilingual which made it easy for my mom to understand
¡Súper recomendado Frank! 🙌🏼 Tuve una muy buena experiencia con él, me ayudó muchísimo con todo el proceso y tuvo muchísima paciencia para responder cada una de mis preguntas. Siempre estuvo pendiente y dispuesto a ayudarme con cualquier duda que tenía. Se nota que le importa brindar un buen servicio y que sus clientes queden satisfechos. ¡Gracias por toda la ayuda, Frank! Definitivamente lo recomiendo 100%. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Frank was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. He clearly explained my health insurance options, patiently answered all my questions, and made the entire process smooth and straightforward.
Working with FC Insurance Solutions, LLC and owner Frank Caballero made a stressful transition after losing employer coverage much easier. He was incredibly responsive, quickly guiding my wife and I through what can feel like a maze of insurance options. Frank took the time to match us with a plan that fit both our medical needs and our budget, without overcomplicating the process. Even after enrollment, he’s remained attentive and helpful—highly recommended!.
I reached out to Frank in a bad situation with the threat of us not being able to afford health insurance due to the way the healthcare system is broken. That is an extremely stressful situation being that this would be the first time in our lives that we were without health insurance. I expected to be badgered and pushed to purchase insurance. It was quite the opposite. He just simply answered my questions and was sympathetic to the situation but never once did he ask me to purchase insurance. He just told me what I needed to know to make a decision. I cannot recommend him enough to tell people how amazing he is and how he diffused a potentially stressful situation in this day and age. He is one of a kind. Lila
I contacted Frank in February knowing that I would need insurance then or in the coming months. In past few days I worked with Frank and others to acquire health coverage that supports me and my wife in our tweener years: We’re a few years out from 65 but entering full-on retirement. Frank will take care of you, either directly or with his connections.
Frank is absolutely great to work with! He is knowledgeable, professional and most of all, patient! He recently helped me on figuring out a policy that would fit my needs on what I was looking for. He responded back to me in a timely manner and was the kindest person and very polite. Would highly recommend him for your insurance needs.
Excelente el señor Frank Caballero 🤝 amable, muy profesional, muy entregado a sus clientes ..muchas gracias por tu servicio de calidad, si le pudiera dar 10 estrellas se las daría 🙏gracias !!!
I cannot say enough great things about Frank. He was professional and very knowledgeable. Obtaining healthcare insurance can be a challenge and task. He made the process easy & smooth. I would highly recommend him to anyone! I look forward to working with him in the future for any of our healthcare Insurance needs. Don’t hesitate to give him a call. You will not be disappointed.
Frank is absolutely great to work with! He is knowledgeable, professional and most of all, patient! He recently signed us up for health insurance. He found a policy that fit our needs perfectly. We took our time combing over the details of the policy and checking his credentials. He was so patient and gracious throughout the entire process. I am looking forward to having Frank as our agent!
Frank provided incredible advice and assistance during the busiest time of year for agents and brokers. He listened to my issues and concerns and explained my options thoroughly. He is extremely professional and more importantly empathetic.
Frank Caballero, owner of FC Insurance Solutions, was able to locate a much more reasonabley priced individual health insurance plan for me which covers my needs well. The "affordable" health plan premiums in Healthcare.gov are a joke! Frank helped direct my husband to the appropriate colleague when the insurance application process didn't go as we all expected. Colleague was able to take care of things. You will be in excellent hands with Frank Caballero!
Very Impressed with the level of support, professionalism and salesmanship that Frank and his associates showed me while purchasing my first health insurance policy. Would highly recommend him for all my friends and family. I’m fully covered to my needs and he’s always willing to help if i have any questions or concerns about my policy. Would give more than 5 stars if I could.
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