SELF-EMPLOYED FLORIDIANS QUALIFY FOR GUARANTEED

SELF-EMPLOYED FLORIDIANS QUALIFY FOR GUARANTEED-ISSUE HEALTH COVERAGE DURING AUGUST TALLAHASSEE - Self-employed Floridians in need of health insurance can obtain it through an open enrollment period during the month of August, Florida's Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher said today. The open enrollment period requires insurance companies and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to offer applications for coverage to the self-employed on a guaranteed-issue basis from August 1 to August 31 each year, with a plan start date of October 1. The open enrollment period enables individuals without health coverage to obtain insurance. Additionally, it provides Floridians that currently have health coverage the opportunity to switch to another insurance plan. "We need to get the word out that the window of opportunity only comes once a year for the self-employed seeking guaranteed-issue health coverage," Gallagher said. "We want to help ensure that Floridians gain access to health care coverage. This enrollment period comes only once a year for the self-employed seeking guaranteed-issue health coverage, so now is the time to get insurance or review your current policy." Small employers are eligible if they have just one employee who qualifies for coverage, and if they did not go into business primarily for the purpose of buying health insurance. A sole proprietor, independent contractor or self-employed individual is considered a small employer only if all of the conditions and criteria established in the law are met. A list of insurance companies offering coverage is posted on the Department of Financial Services' website at http://www.fldfs.com/Consumers/small_group_market_carrirers.htm. For available benefits, go to http://www.fldfs.com/companies/lh_fr/is_LHFR_Small_Emp_Benefit_Plan.htm. Guaranteed-issue means insurers and HMOs must offer coverage without regard to health status. Companies that write coverage for individuals are required to offer only "basic" or "standard" plans. With the passage of the Affordable Healthcare for Floridians Act last year, coverage options for employers include health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). HSAs, which operate like Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), allow people to save their own money in a tax-free account for use on health related expenses. If the money is not spent, it will roll over annually and continue to accumulate until the policyholder is age 65 at which time the money can be used for any purpose. "These accounts will help Floridians pay for out-of-pocket health costs with pre-tax dollars and empower them to make wise financial decisions about their medical care," said Gallagher, who co-chaired the Governor's Task Force that suggested many of the new choices. "These accounts will not only help lower overall costs in the market, but they provide Floridians seeking health care coverage another option. Additionally, young, healthy individuals who so often choose to go without insurance will be more inclined to purchase this type of coverage. The goal is to provide all Floridians access to affordable health care." Self-employed Floridians who apply for coverage must show certain documentation verifying that they are operating an active business, including tax forms, license information and business receipts. Gallagher encourages consumers to contact the department's toll-free consumer helpline at 1-800-342-2762 to request a free copy of our health insurance consumer guide. ### As a statewide elected officer of the Florida Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher oversees the Department of Financial Services, a multi-division state agency responsible for management of state funds and unclaimed property, assisting consumers *****quest information and help related to financial services, and investigating financial fraud. Gallagher also serves as the State Fire Marshal.

Great info but bad links. You can go to www.MyFlorida.com and TRY to find the info. It''s huge though. I'm still looking for the right page. Will post when I find it DN

Here's the info for the 1st link: Division of Consumer Services Small Group Market Carriers For a printer-friendly version of this page, scroll down and click the printer icon at the bottom right The following companies offer health insurance to Small Business Owners in Florida. To find more information on this type of policy, please see our Small Business Owners' Insurance Consumer Guide. Active Small Group Carriers Note: The following chart also indicates whether the company currently offers, or plans to offer, a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Indemnity/PPO Company Names Contact Number HSA or HRA Aetna Life Insurance Company 1-888-422-2128, Option 2 HSA Blue Cross Blue Shield of FL, Inc. 1-800-955-2227 HSA HRA - 2005 Connecticut General Insurance Company 1-800-433-0286 HSA Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc. 1-800-858-4376 One Life Group Quotes Only: 1-866-215-7407 HRA John Alden Life Insurance Company 1-877-225-5077 HSA Nippon Life Insurance Company of America 1-877-252-7174 HSA Pacific Life & Annuity Company 1-800-800-8613 Consumer should contact a licensed ins agent HSA Trustmark Insurance Company (Mutual) 1-800-745-3162 HSA Trustmark Life Insurance Company 1-800-745-3162 HSA United Healthcare Insurance Company * Jacksonville and Central Florida: 1-800-899-6550, prompt #3 * West Central and Florida Panhandle: 1-800-767-3099, prompt #3 * South Florida: 1-800-762-6662, prompt #4 HSA Total: 10 HMO Company Names Contact Number HSA or HRA Aetna Health, Inc. 1-888-422-2128, Option 2 HSA Av-Med, Inc. 1-888-256-6982 HSA Capital Group Health Services 1-800-390-1434 HSA Florida Health Care Plan, Inc. 1-800-352-9824 HSA Health First Health Plans, Inc. 1-800-716-7737 HSA Health Options, Inc. 1-800-955-2227> HRA Humana Medical Plan, Inc. 1-800-858-4376 One Life Group Quotes Only: 1-866-215-7407 HRA Neighborhood Health Partnership 1-800-354-0222 HSA Total Health Choice, Inc. 1-800-887-6888 HSA United Healthcare of Florida, Inc. * Jacksonville and Central Florida: 1-800-899-6550, prompt #3 * West Central and Florida Panhandle: 1-800-767-3099, prompt #3 * South Florida: 1-800-762-6662, prompt #4 HSA Vista Healthplan of South Florida, Inc. 1-800-447-5116 HRA Vista Healthplan, Inc. (Beacon) 1-800-447-5116 HRA Total: 12 CONSUMER HELPLINE : 1-800-3 42-2762

Try this: http://www.fldfs.com/PressOffice/ViewMediaRelease.asp?ID=2064 You'll need to go to the webpage and click on the links below for indepth info on each topic. DN@GOAL Welcome to the Office of Insurance Regulation FLORIDA SMALL EMPLOYER BENEFIT PLAN * Order Approving Small Employer Standard and Basic Benefits Plans * 11/1/2002 Media Release: Gallagher Announces Plans to Make Health Insurance More Affordable for Small Businesses * Florida Small Employer Benefit Plan Committee, November 2002 * Informational Memorandum DFS-03-001 Issued March 6, 2003 * [Basic] [Standard] [Pure Indemnity] [Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)] Plan * Standard Indemnity Plan Schedule of Benefits * Basic Indemnity Plan Schedule of Benefits * Standard PPO Plan Schedule of Benefits * Basic PPO Plan Schedule of Benefits * [Standard] [Basic] HMO Plan * Standard HMO Plan Schedule of Benefits * Basic HMO Plan Schedule of Benefits * Standard HMO Coinsurance Plan Schedule of Benefits * Basic HMO Coinsurance Plan Schedule of Benefits

Thanks Diane for posting this info. Great stuff. I am saving it to send to my brother and his family.