Fort Lauderdale, FL — Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System have teamed up to launch a new health insurer on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, offering plans tailored to Broward County residents and anchored by their combined network of 11 hospitals.
The venture, called 22 Health, opened enrollment with the start of the ACA sign-up period and marks the first time the two public hospital systems have entered the insurance business as a unified entity. The move aims to keep patients in-network across both systems, reduce administrative friction, and bring more predictability to costs after months of contract disputes with major commercial carriers, according to public statements and industry reports.
A first for Broward’s public systems
Hospital leaders framed the launch as the next step in a broader collaboration announced earlier this year to streamline services and improve access to care in a county of 1.9 million people. Together, Broward Health and Memorial say the plans will guarantee in-network access to their hospitals, outpatient sites, and thousands of affiliated physicians.
“This partnership ensures our patients get the care they need without the barriers of out-of-network surprises,” a Broward Health spokesperson said in a statement. Memorial executives said the insurer is intended to make care more affordable and accessible while strengthening a safety-net mission stretched by rising costs.
The systems have been at odds with Florida Blue in recent months, disputes that, according to industry reports, left tens of thousands of patients temporarily out-of-network. Launching their own marketplace plans is meant to offer a stable option for residents who rely on the two hospital networks.
What the plans offer
Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. Residents who enroll by December 15 can start coverage January 1. The plans cover essential health benefits required by the ACA, including preventive care, hospitalization, maternity, behavioral health, and prescription drugs. Telemedicine is included, and the systems emphasize no balance billing for covered services at partner facilities.
Premiums vary by age, income, and metal tier, but bronze options start around $450 a month before subsidies, according to materials shared by the systems. Deductibles range roughly from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on the tier. With Florida marketplace premiums projected to rise 5% to 7% for 2026, the hospitals say a tighter, value-based network can help restrain costs and improve care coordination.
Why it matters
Florida leads the nation in ACA enrollment, yet the state’s uninsured rate remains elevated in part because it has not expanded Medicaid. In Broward County, where public systems deliver a large share of care to low- and moderate-income residents, executives argue the new plans could stabilize access and finances by aligning insurance with the providers delivering the care.
Analysts say integrated models like this can lower administrative costs and reduce network disputes, though results depend on pricing and oversight. Early interest appears strong: local enrollment navigators report a surge of calls, and the systems say they are partnering with community groups to help residents compare options and sign up.
Regulatory and competitive questions
22 Health must meet state licensing and solvency requirements through the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and comply with federal marketplace rules. The systems say those approvals are underway. Consumer advocates and some industry observers welcomed the additional option but cautioned that the combined network controls a sizable share of hospital beds in Broward, raising questions about market concentration if competitors lose ground.
A spokesperson for Florida Blue has said the insurer remains committed to negotiating fair rates that balance affordability for members with sustainable reimbursements for providers. Hospital leaders counter that managing both care and coverage can bring greater stability after a volatile stretch of post-pandemic labor and supply costs.
How to enroll — and what’s next
Residents can shop 22 Health plans on HealthCare.gov during open enrollment. The Broward Regional Health Planning Council is offering free, one-on-one enrollment help through its Get Covered Broward program at 1-800-794-2208.
For now, 22 Health is limited to ACA marketplace products in Broward County. Executives say they will evaluate expansion to employer coverage or Medicare Advantage in future years, depending on demand and regulatory approval. The launch, however, already signals a shift: two of South Florida’s largest hospital systems are betting that owning the insurance card, not just the hospital bed, is key to navigating the next phase of healthcare in the region.
