In May, Governor Charlie Crist signed into law a bill (S.B. 2534) that creates a new health insurance option, the Cover Florida program, for Florida’s uninsured residents starting January 2009. The bill outlines a plan that allows private insurers to competitively negotiate with the state to provide benefit plans which should cost approximately $150 or less per month.[1]. Cover Florida sponsors must offer at least two plans: one with lower-level coverage, and one with catastrophic coverage. Nine carriers submitted proposals and six of those were selected by the state to participate in Cover Florida.[2] The benefit designs must focus on primary and preventive care in order to discourage people from using emergency rooms as their source of primary care. At minimum, all benefits plans must include:
The legislation also creates the Florida Health Choices Corporation, described as a clearinghouse designed to promote health insurance choices for small business and help them fill out the necessary forms and paperwork. Through the Corporation, small employers with 50 or fewer employees will be able to access coverage for their employees. Employees will have the ability to choose from a variety of health plans and services, including prepaid services, flexible savings accounts, and traditional insurance products. Employers will be required to establish Section 125 plans. The program will be administered by a 15-member board made up of appointees chosen by the Governor, the Senate president and the House speaker.[3]
