State plan to "Cover" uninsured Floridians

State plan to "Cover" uninsured Floridians

Nearly 4 million uninsured Floridians can start applying for low-cost health coverage through a new state program starting in January 2009.

This past week Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed agreements with six insurance companies to provide basic, no frills, low cost coverage plans to uninsured Floridians. It's a plan called "Cover Florida." This legislation makes affordable health coverage available to 3.8 million uninsured Florida residents.

Cover Florida gives uninsured Floridians the opportunity to take charge of their own preventive health care. Cover Florida benefit options include a robust set of benefits, such as coverage for preventive services, screenings, and office visits, as well as office surgery, urgent care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and diabetic supplies.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Florida Health Care Plans, and United Health Care will offer policies statewide under the plan. Other companies will offer coverage in select counties only.

Blue Cross Blue Shield, for instance, will offer: a catastrophic coverage plan that will cost the typical 40-year-old $150 per month, or a non-catastrophic plan for $50 per month.

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Some details about Cover Florida:

-Must be age19 to 64

-Uninsured for at least six months

-COBRA payments have been exhausted

-Offers catastrophic and preventive plans

-Rates depend on the age and gender

-25 plans to choose from

More information about the Cover Florida benefit options is available at www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com.