STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST REGARDING RELEASE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE FOR COVER FLORIDA PLAN
July 2, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
“Today, I am proud to announce the opening of the competitive negotiation process for insurance companies to design a Cover Florida plan proposal that will produce an affordable, quality health insurance product for Florida’s uninsured citizens. The state will approve at least one statewide plan and may approve regional plans to maximize consumer choice. All approved carriers must offer consumers at least two plans, one with catastrophic and hospital coverage, and one without. All Cover Florida plans must include a robust set of benefits, including – at a minimum – coverage for preventive services, screenings, office visits, outpatient and inpatient surgery, urgent care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and diabetic supplies.
“This past legislative session, my administration worked with the Legislature who unanimously passed the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program, a comprehensive market-based strategy to address the uninsured in Florida. There are no mandates for participation and no tax dollars are required. Instead, Cover Florida partners with private insurance companies to create and competitively bid on innovative health insurance products. These products will be designed to cost $150 per month or less and will be available to Floridians who have been without insurance for at least six months.”
To access information about the intent to negotiate, please visit http://vbs.dms.state.fl.us/vbs/ad.view_ad?advertisement_key_num=72936.
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