Shands Hospital at the University of Florida is a private hospital in Gainesville, Fla.
In 2008, 3.8 million Florida residents went without health care coverage. In the early months of 2009, thousands more lost their health insurance and their jobs as unemployment rose to more than 12 percent in some Florida counties. Even those who have health insurance look for ways to cut costs.
If you're among those looking for low-cost health care, you might be happy to learn that you have some options. In Florida, low-cost health insurance is available for those who know where to look.
Cover Florida
On Jan. 5, 2009, Florida launched Cover Florida, a bare-bones health care coverage option for those unable to afford health care coverage. Millions of Floridians qualify for Cover Florida. To qualify, you must be 19 to 64 years of age. You also must have been without insurance for at least six months and be ineligible for Medicare or Medicaid coverage.
If you qualify, you'll need to make some important decisions. First, you'll choose an insurer. The state's Cover Florida website provides complete information on insurers offering coverage in your county. Six insurance companies are participating in Cover Florida, but some are available only in specific counties. United Health Care and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida are available in all Florida counties.
After you choose an insurer on the website, you can look at the available coverage plans. For example, BCBS offers two plans in Volusia County. One plan provides limited coverage, and the other plan adds hospitalization and surgery coverage. For a 35-year-old male, the premium for limited coverage is $47 per month and the premium for the more complete plan is $99 per month.
Florida Kidcare
If you have children, you have the option of choosing coverage under the Florida Kidcare program. The plan originally covered only the children of low-income families. Now, however, any Florida resident can obtain coverage for anyone 18 or younger through Florida Kidcare.
To apply for Kidcare, go to the state's Florida Kidcare website, print an application form, fill it out and mail it to the address provided. The form requires income information. You can use a copy of your most recent federal tax return or send copies of your most recent four weeks of paycheck stubs.
If you do not qualify for premium assistance, you'll still have the opportunity to buy into the program at the full premium rate, which is approximately $160 for a 6-year-old boy.
Monopoly Claim
Apart from Cover Florida and Florida Kidcare, the best way to find low-cost health insurance is to seek quotes from several insurers. Obtain phone numbers for insurers in your area and call to get quotes. Ask about the coverage benefits of each program and make sure each quote is based on similar benefits.
Tags: Cover Florida, Florida Kidcare, health care, care coverage, health care coverage, health insurance
