Florida Governor Signs Health Insurance Bill For Uninsured Residents
Wednesday May 21, 2008Florida Governor Signs Health Insurance Bill For Uninsured Residents in Politics and Legislation
Just after
Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed
a bill giving broader health insurance coverage for residents with
autism, he signed another measure today to reduce the number of uninsured
residents.
The bill drafted by the governor a few months ago would create a new kind line of health insurance — a Florida health insurance plan that doesn’t have to provide some state-mandated coverage. Without mandated coverage, the cost will be lower than other plans, explained Governor Crist.
Crist says uninsured Florida residents can get these stripped-down plans for as low as $150 per month, reported Forbes and the Associated Press.
Under the new law, called Cover Florida, insurance companies will be able to participate in the mandate-free programs where certain services don’t have to be covered.
Florida state law mandates the coverage for roughly 50 different medical services. While the article doesn’t specify all of them, it said some screening services, transplants, and some maternity care will be excluded in these new plans.
Critics of the plan say it doesn’t provide enough coverage, but proponents point out it’s better than nothing.
“It is not the Cadillac of health plans, but it offers something very, very important for the citizens of our state,” said Governor Crist.
Any Florida resident who is between the ages of 19 to 64 and has had no health insurance for six months or more will be eligible for the new plans. Children who do not qualify for state-subsidized coverage from KidCare are eligible for the Cover Florida plan, as well.
The bill also lets unmarried children stay on their parents’ health plans until age 30, and gives small businesses broader access to things like Medical Savings Accounts.
It is a very scary feeling not being covered at all. We lost coverage in July-08
Posted by Trisa A Nugier on September 22, 2008 at 01:00 PM CDT #
Here are a few different options:
Under the federal law COBRA, your husband can continue his coverage with his former employer for a period of up to 18 months. The problem with this coverage is that it’s expensive. To learn more about COBRA, refer to the U.S. Department of Labor at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm.
You can also get health insurance quotes online on this website, GoHealthInsurance.com. This service allows you to view quotes online, if instant quotes are available in your area. You’ll also be connected with licensed health insurance agents in your area. These agents will contact you and help you to explore your options. To use this service, go to http://www.gohealthinsurance.com/quote.jsp or click on the “Health Insurance Quotes” tab on the top of this page. You do not have any obligation to but a plan and it is a free service.
In looking for coverage, it may help to explore short-term health plans. A short-term plan can provide coverage for up to one year and offers generally affordable rates. Short-term plans may be able to provide coverage for you and your husband until either of you gets health benefits at a future job. Discount medical programs could be another option. These programs offer discounts on certain medical services, but remember they are NOT health insurance plans.
Depending on your income, you may be eligible for Medicaid health insurance coverage. To find out if you qualify for Medicaid in your state, you’ll have to view your state’s Medicaid eligibility limits and apply for coverage. An easy way to find your state’s Medicaid website is to do a simple online search. Try visiting google.com and typing in “YOUR STATE” Medicaid. For example, if you live in Florida, the first result in a search for “Florida Medicaid” is Florida’s Medicaid website: http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/medicaid/.
Please also keep in mind that your ability to find health insurance may depend on your age, health status, and where you live.
Posted by The Research Team on September 22, 2008 at 02:42 PM CDT #
Posted by John Beck Real Estate on October 08, 2008 at 04:20 AM CDT #