Florida Health Choices, Inc. is Pleased to Announce the Pending Appointment of a Vendor Steering Committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The program was created by the 2008 Florida Legislature to establish a web-based choice portal and assist small employers, employees and other eligible individuals with the purchase of health care services.  The corporation recently awarded a contract for third party administration services to Ceridian Exchange Services, LLC in partnership with eHealth, to establish the information technology and business infrastructure necessary to support and launch the marketplace in 2011.

As we proceed with implementation, the Florida Health Choices, Inc. board of directors seeks input from the vendor community and will form a steering committee.  The steering committee will be comprised primarily of potential vendors and will include at least one consumer representative.  Eligible vendors include:

• Insurers licensed under chapter 624
• Health maintenance organizations licensed under part I of chapter 641
• Prepaid health clinic service providers licensed under part II of chapter 641
• Health care providers, including hospitals and other licensed health facilities, health care clinics, licensed health professionals, pharmacies, and other licensed health care providers
• Provider organization, including service networks, group practices, professional associations, and other incorporated organizations of providers
• Corporate entities providing specific health services  in accordance with applicable state law

When established, the areas of program design in which the vendor steering committee’s suggestions and advice would initially be sought include:

• Program eligibility criteria
• Development of effective consumer education materials
• Marketing and outreach
• Consideration of pre-existing condition exclusions
• The vendor certification process
• Approach to evaluation
• Reporting requirements and effective data collection
• Terms and conditions of vendor participation
• Preparing policies and procedures and appropriate disclosure statements
• Test the portal during development and recommend future enhancements
• Overall program policy development

The Florida Association of Health Plans will host an orientation meeting for vendors interested in learning more about this opportunity on Tuesday, February 8.  The meeting will be held 12:30 – 2:00 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center at 555 West Pensacola, Street in Tallahassee, Florida.  Please let us know if you plan to attend the meeting by writing to info@fhc.changem.com.  Vendor representatives interested in receiving consideration for appointment to the steering committee who are unable to attend the orientation meeting may submit a letter and resume to the same address no later than Friday, February 11.