A vent and question about individual private plans vs ACA (FLORIDA)

I am a non married male who left my employer one year ago and went out into my own practice. I worked closely with an insurance rep who found me an open choice non-marketplace PPO plan. Sadly, I learned that I need an urgent surgery and my private plan will not cover the surgery as it is one of the many exclusions. I am now forced to pay out of pocket for this procedure. I feel like many of the private plans have so many ridiculous exclusions. This is a medically necessary hernia surgery and the insurance is refusing to cover. Obviously there is not much I can do now. So in preparation for the next open enrollment I wanted to ask some questions.

Is my situation standard practice for these pre-existing condition private plans? Are there any private plans that can rival the wonderful insurance I had with my prior company?

I was afraid of a marketplace plan because my rep told me that it was zip code specific. I do a bit of traveling and it terrifies me to think that I would not be covered if I needed medical care in another state. Is this true? Are there ACA plans that allow geographic freedom?

I signed the dotted line and should have known what to expect. Somewhat beating myself up in the moment. Just wanted to find a plan that matched the care I was able to receive from my former job. Will I ever be able to find something that has me well covered medically and geographically? Does that exist in the self employed world?

Thank you