Florida Governor Crist Announces Cover Florida Health Care Enrollment Numbers

March 24, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced the initial results of the first two months of enrollment in Cover Florida Health Care plans. He also encouraged businesses, health care providers and other organizations to help increase awareness about the affordable, quality health insurance coverage made available to Florida’s nearly four million uninsured applicants age 19 to 64. As of February 28, 2009, the health plans reported enrolling 952 Floridians – 82 percent of whom chose catastrophic coverage, and 18 percent chose preventive coverage.

“Cover Florida Health Care is just one of the many steps Florida has taken to improve access to health care for Floridians,” Governor Crist said. “I call on all organizations interested in helping improve access to health care to help spread the word that affordable health care coverage is available.”

As part of Cover the Uninsured Week led by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Governor Crist called on statewide and community organizations working to improve access to health care to help increase awareness options available to Floridians. Cover the Uninsured Week involves business owners, educators, union members, students, patients, hospital staff, religious leaders and entire congregations in working to raise awareness about the importance of providing health coverage to every American.

Cover Florida Health Care plans are guaranteed issue, meaning eligible applicants will not be denied coverage, and are available to all Floridians age 19 to 64 who have been without health insurance for at least six months. Certain exceptions apply for the six-month exclusion, including immediate enrollment for those who have lost insurance coverage due to job loss or divorce, or who no longer meet the income requirements for Medicaid or KidCare, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Six health insurance providers have been authorized by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Executive Office of the Governor to offer Cover Florida Health Care plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and United Healthcare are available in all 67 Florida counties with additional insurers available in Broward, Miami-Dade, Volusia, and Flagler counties.

“While these numbers are a modest beginning, this report couldn’t be more timely,” said AHCA Secretary Holly Benson. “As we recognize Cover the Uninsured Week in Florida, we expect that more uninsured Floridians will become aware that high quality, affordable coverage is within their reach. I encourage all interested citizens to spread the word.”

The same 2008 legislation that authorized Cover Florida Health Care also allows parents to continue carrying children up to age 30 under the family health care policy as long the children are unmarried and have no dependents of their own. Previously, children were covered only until age 25.

Under Governor Crist’s leadership, Florida has expanded its role as a model for the nation in developing market-based solutions to providing access to affordable health insurance and cost savings on prescription drugs. The following programs have increased access to health care for Floridians:

The Florida Discount Drug Card – Launched in December 2007, the Florida Discount Drug Card program was developed by negotiating prices with pharmaceutical companies and securing volume discounts on prescription drugs. Participating pharmacies agree to offer the negotiated price to consumers for each drug. As a result, families and seniors without prescription coverage are finding relief for out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses. As of March 16, 2009, there were 79,253 participants in the program saving $2.5 million in medication costs.

Florida KidCare – Legislation championed by Governor Crist in 2008 allows Florida to continue reducing the number of uninsured children throughout Florida. The Florida KidCare Program is providing access to quality, affordable health care for more than 38,000 additional children. As of March 2009, more than 1.5 children are enrolled in KidCare, up from more than 1.4 million in June 2008. In addition, the removal of the 10 percent “full pay cap” in KidCare has allowed more than 548,000 uninsured children to access health care coverage.

Autism – Last year, Governor Crist signed legislation known as the “Window of Opportunity Act” that increases health insurance benefits for autism and developmental disability therapies through large group coverage and enhances consumer awareness of the benefits. The legislation also created a mandated benefit for autism coverage which will apply to any insurance carrier that does not comply with the compact by April 1, 2010. The mandated benefit includes a $36,000 annual maximum and $108,000 lifetime maximum for screening and therapy for autism.

Dental Coverage – In 2008, Governor Crist support legislation to address the shortage of Medicaid dentists in Florida. The legislation changed Florida’s licensure requirements to allow dentists licensed in other states to work in health care settings that serve some of Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.

For more information about Cover Florida Health Care, please visit www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com.

For more information about the Florida Discount Drug Card, please visit www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com.

For information about the Florida KidCare Program, please visit www.FloridaKidCare.org.

Source: Florida Governor