Florida Health Choices to launch and expand offerings through Florida’s Health Insurance Marketplace

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A contract approved by the Florida Health Choices (FHC) Board of Directors at its December meeting paves the way for consumers to start exploring an array of health care options via Florida’s Health Insurance Marketplace starting in January. The board selected Careington International Corporation to provide the platform for offering health service options that are often purchased either as enhancements to health insurance plans or as lower cost alternatives to fill benefit gaps.

Florida’s Health Insurance Marketplace is a centralized web portal where businesses and individuals can shop and compare prices on a variety of health purchasing options. The offerings launching in early 2014 range from discount and limited benefit plans to prepaid health clinic policies covering doctor and clinic visits.

“With the changes to the Affordable Care Act — including the delay for large employers to meet the new health insurance requirements — we have accelerated our plans to expand the type and number of products offered when the Marketplace launches,” FHC chairman Durell Peaden said. “We want to offer a broad array of alternatives that are available to all Floridians, including hundreds of thousands who are not eligible for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.”

Fourteen vendors currently are under certification review by the FHC and are expected to bring 25-30 offerings to employers and individuals. Initial offerings are anticipated to include dental, vision, prescription, telemedicine and chiropractic networks.

“Although comprehensive, the new options available under the Affordable Care Act do not cover everyone — or everything — a Florida family may want them to cover,” said Rose Naff, CEO for Florida’s Health Choices. “By bringing these supplemental options to the Marketplace, hopefully we can help families fill any gaps.”

Florida’s Health Insurance Marketplace and Florida Health Choices, Inc. were established by the Florida Legislature to provide improved access to affordable, quality health care for residents statewide. For more information, visit www.fhc.changem.com

Careington International Corporation is a nationally licensed Discount Medical Plan Organization that provides Third Party Administration services through its affiliate, Core V Solutions, Inc., a nationally licensed TPA. For more information, visit www.careington.com.