Health First Health Plans: Brevard's Homegrown, Not-for-Profit Insurer

Most health insurance companies are for-profit corporations answerable to shareholders. Health First Health Plans is the exception — a not-for-profit insurer headquartered right here in Central Florida, where the dollars that come in stay in the communities they serve.

Not-for-profit by design

In an industry dominated by national, shareholder-driven carriers, Health First Health Plans operates as a not-for-profit health insurance company based in Central Florida. That structure isn't a technicality — it shapes how the plan makes decisions. Instead of returning earnings to investors, the organization reinvests them back into health and wellness programs and activities in the communities it covers.

That's a rare posture in insurance, and it's one of the reasons a locally rooted plan can feel fundamentally different from a national carrier.

Rooted in Brevard — and running most of its hospitals

Health First isn't just an insurer with a local address. The broader Health First system operates the majority of hospitals in Brevard County, along with outpatient and physician networks. That means the plan's network is built around facilities and providers its parent organization knows intimately — and that Brevard families already rely on every day.

Your network connects you to providers across Central Florida. And when you travel, you're covered for urgent care when outside of the service area and for emergency care nationwide. All plans don't require a referral from the health plan to see a specialist.

That kind of integration — between the insurer, the hospitals, and the local physician network — is hard to replicate from a distant corporate campus.

Giving back, and knowing the community

Because Health First is not-for-profit and locally based, its resources tend to follow community needs rather than quarterly earnings targets. Earnings go back into local health and wellness programs, and the people answering your questions live in the same region you do.

When you call Customer Service, you're reaching agents located in Central Florida — not a distant call center — who can help with benefits, plan options, finding a provider or hospital, and preparing for upcoming appointments.

Recognized for service

That local, member-first approach has earned national recognition. Health First Health Plans was recognized by J.D. Power for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" for phone support — the J.D. Power 2025 Certified Customer Service Program recognition.

J.D. Power 2025 certified Customer Service Program recognition is based on successful completion of an evaluation and exceeding a customer satisfaction benchmark through a survey of recent servicing interactions. For more information, visit jdpower.com/awards.

What this means for Brevard residents

For families weighing Marketplace options, a not-for-profit plan built around Brevard's own hospitals and staffed by local service agents is worth a close look — especially one that has been independently recognized for how it treats members on the phone.

Ready to see if a Health First plan fits your budget and qualifies for financial help? Start a free eligibility check.

*The health plan does not require referrals; some providers may.