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.