Key facts
County seat: Sebring; population approximately 102,000
Florida's Lakes Region — inland SW Florida, no Gulf coastline
Significant retiree population; large pre-Medicare enrollment
Primary hospital: Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring
ACA carriers: Florida Blue, Ambetter, Molina Healthcare
Home to the Sebring International Raceway — motorsport tourism economy
Highlands County is Florida's Lakes Region — a high, dry plateau of inland Southwest Florida dotted with hundreds of natural lakes, citrus groves, and the small cities and towns that serve a large and growing retiree population. Sebring, the county seat and largest city, is best known nationally as the home of the Sebring International Raceway, which hosts the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race — one of the oldest continuously run auto races in the United States.
The county's population of roughly 102,000 makes it one of the more substantial rural inland counties in Florida. Highlands County has a notably older age distribution than coastal Florida counties, driven by decades of retiree in-migration attracted by the low cost of living, lake-country lifestyle, and affordable real estate. This demographic profile creates particularly high demand for pre-Medicare ACA marketplace coverage among residents aged 55 to 64.
Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring provides inpatient, emergency, and general specialty care. For advanced tertiary care — cardiac surgery, oncology, transplant — Highlands County residents typically travel to Sarasota Memorial, Tampa General, or Orlando Health. ACA marketplace enrollment among the pre-Medicare retiree population is a defining feature of Highlands County's health insurance landscape.
Highlands County residents have access to ACA marketplace coverage through HealthCare.gov. Compare all available carriers using your Sebring zip code to find the best Silver plan for your household income and coverage needs.
Health insurance in Highlands County
The following income thresholds govern 2026 ACA subsidy eligibility (based on 2025 FPL figures). Florida has not expanded Medicaid — adults earning below 100% FPL without dependent children fall into the coverage gap and receive neither Medicaid nor ACA subsidies.
| Household Size | 100% FPL | 150% FPL | 200% FPL | 300% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,060 | $22,590 | $30,120 | $45,180 | $60,240 |
| 2 people | $20,440 | $30,660 | $40,880 | $61,320 | $81,760 |
| 3 people | $25,820 | $38,730 | $51,640 | $77,460 | $103,280 |
| 4 people | $31,200 | $46,800 | $62,400 | $93,600 | $124,800 |
Pre-Medicare coverage is Highlands County's defining health insurance challenge. Residents who retire before age 65 — whether from Northern states, Central Florida urban areas, or other regions — need ACA marketplace coverage to bridge the gap to Medicare. For a couple aged 60 to 64 with combined income of $50,000 to $80,000, the benchmark Silver plan after premium tax credits can represent very significant savings compared to COBRA or other alternatives.
Sebring's motorsport economy — the 12 Hours of Sebring and year-round track events — employs a workforce of event contractors, hospitality workers, and support staff who often lack employer-sponsored coverage. Self-employed motorsport contractors and seasonal event workers are natural ACA marketplace users. Net income between $20,000 and $55,000 in this sector typically qualifies for premium tax credits.
Highlands County's citrus and agriculture sector, while smaller than neighboring Hardee and DeSoto counties, still employs significant numbers of seasonal and full-time workers without group coverage. The combination of agricultural workers, seasonal event-economy workers, and pre-Medicare retirees makes Highlands County one of the more active ACA enrollment markets in inland Southwest Florida.
Explore ACA coverage across Florida: Health Insurance by County — Gulf Coast Health Insurance — Florida Small Business Health Insurance