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~Announces nine health-care
insurance providers compete to offer policies to uninsured Floridians through
Cover Florida Health Care Access Program~
ORLANDO – Speaking at a bipartisan national health care conference in Orlando
today, Governor Charlie Crist announced the receipt of nine bid proposals by
private health-care insurance providers seeking to offer Cover Florida health
insurance policies to Florida’s 3.8 million uninsured individuals. This
milestone marks a significant step toward offering Florida families and
businesses more affordable options for health insurance coverage.
“I am enthusiastic about the proposals we have received, and that they all must
contain a strong and meaningful set of preventive and comprehensive benefits
that will make a real difference for Florida’s uninsured families,” Governor
Crist said. “In the ongoing evaluation and negotiation process, we will work
diligently to ensure the affordability and quality of these plans.”
Governor Crist was the keynote speaker for the two-day Orlando conference,
America’s Health Care at Risk: Finding a Cure. Other speakers included James
Carville and Karl Rove. At the conference, Governor Crist outlined his
commitment to improving the health of all Floridians through initiatives like
public school physical education classes, the Florida Discount Drug Card, and
Cover Florida.
The Cover Florida Health Care Access Program was developed by Governor Crist and
was passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature in the 2008 session. The
program uses a comprehensive market-based strategy to increase access to
affordable health insurance coverage. Cover Florida permits the state to partner
with competitively selected private health-care entities to create robust,
innovative health insurance products that could not be otherwise offered in
Florida’s existing regulatory structure. Only those plans selected through the
competitive bidding process will be awarded contracts to offer Cover Florida
products to eligible Floridians.
The competitive negotiation process for Cover Florida plans opened on July 1.
Through this process, the state will approve at least one statewide plan and may
approve regional plans as well. This will maximize the level of consumer choice.
All approved Cover Florida carriers must offer consumers at least two plans, one
with catastrophic and hospital coverage, and one without, and must include – at
a minimum – coverage for preventive services, screenings, office visits,
outpatient and inpatient surgery, urgent care, prescription drugs, durable
medical equipment, and diabetic supplies.
“Cover Florida represents a first-of-its-kind approach to creating more
affordable options for the uninsured.” Governor Crist said. “The negotiating
power of the state far surpasses that of any small business or group. On behalf
of the 3.8 million uninsured Floridians, the state has opened the door for
insurers to propose plans that offer quality benefits at a rate of about $150
per month or less.”
A total of nine bids were received by the Agency for Health Care Administration
and Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation, including two statewide carrier(s)
and seven regional carrier(s).
The state is conducting a rigorous process of evaluations and negotiations with
the bidders. The evaluation team is scrutinizing proposals on a variety of
factors that include:
- Coverage provided, including co-payments.
- Competitiveness of premium rate.
- Respondent’s existing compliance status with
requirements of other regulatory agencies in Florida.
- Reference checks conducted on respondent’s
performance as a vendor for other contracts.
- Respondent’s current and recent financial status.
- Sufficiency of the proposed provider network,
including primary care, specialty care, hospitals, etc.
- Geographic representation of provider network.
- Member services functions.
- Quality assurance and medical case management services.
- Ability to meet access and appointment standards.
- Ability to comply with all reporting requirements.
Each proposal receives points for services provided
and is then ranked according to the total of awarded points. Negotiations are
being requested with any or all bidders. Through negotiations, proposals are
being strengthened and amended to provide for the greatest level of benefits and
cost-savings to consumers.
Winning proposal(s) will be named by early October 2008. Winning bidder(s) are
expected to make their Cover Florida insurance products available to uninsured
Floridians by January 1, 2009.
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