Government

Florida offers new plans to uninsured

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 3, 2008

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Florida will contract with six health insurers to offer affordable private plans to many of the state's 3.8 million uninsured as part of a new state program called Cover Florida. The plans will be exempted from state benefit mandates and will be available to adults who have been uninsured for at least six months. Premiums could be as low as $150 a month. The plans, which will be available in early 2009, are not subsidized by the state, said Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

Two companies will offer statewide plans -- United Healthcare and BlueCross BlueShield of Florida -- while the rest will offer regional plans.

Each company will offer at least two plans, one with catastrophic and hospital coverage and one without. Each plan will cover preventive services, screenings, office visits, outpatient and inpatient surgery, urgent care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and diabetic supplies, Crist said. The Florida Medical Assn. supports the program.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/11/03/gvbf1103.htm.

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