Press Release                                                                  
February 2, 2021
New COVID-19 Open Enrollment Period February 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021  

Tampa, Florida – In accordance with the Executive Order issued by President Biden, the Biden Administration announced a Special Open Enrollment Period for individuals and families for to enroll in Health Insurance Marketplace coverage.  This Special Open Enrollment is in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which has left millions of Americans facing health problems, uncertainty and exceptional circumstances while millions of Americans have experienced new health problems during the pandemic. This new Open Enrollment  Period will allow individuals and families in states with Marketplaces served by the HealthCare.gov platform to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage, and this includes Florida.

With job losses continuing to mount amid the COVID-19 resurgence, and millions of people having lost their job-based health insurance since the start of this public health and economic crisis, the Biden Administration has re-opened the ACA Marketplace to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered. Beginning February 15, 2021 and through May 15, 2021, these Marketplaces will make this opportunity available to all Marketplace-eligible consumers who are submitting a new application or updating an existing application. Floridians can enroll in comprehensive, affordable health insurance on with the assistance of a Covering Florida Navigator, by scheduling an appointment via www.CoveringFlorida.org or (877) 813-9115 before time runs out.  Statewide Navigator assistance is free, confidential, and unbiased.

With job losses continuing to mount amid the COVID-19 resurgence, and millions of people having lost their job-based health insurance since the start of this public health and economic crisis, the Biden Administration has opened up the ACA Marketplace to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered.

“Florida sign-ups led the nation with more than 2.1 million Floridians enrolled in a health insurance plan during the recently concluded open enrollment period,” said Jodi Ray, Director of Florida Covering Kids and Families based at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health. “Floridians now have a new opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2021, but only for a limited time. This new COVID-19 Open Enrollment Period starts begins on February 15, 2021 and ends on May 15, 2021. Consumers can reach out to us now for appointments through the Covering Florida website or by calling 877-813-9115, or by contacting any of our statewide partners.”

Covering Florida is the statewide consortium of certified Navigator groups partner organizations headed by Ray, with multiple partner organizations located throughout the state.  These include:

·     Big Bend Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) - Serving Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington counties. 

·    Covering Central Florida (Primary Care Access Network) – Serving Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

·    Epilepsy Florida – Serving Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties.

·    Family Healthcare Foundation – Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties

·    Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida – Serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.

·    Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida – Serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

·     Suwannee River Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) - Serving Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union counties.

·    University of South Florida Navigators - Serving the entire State of Florida, to include Brevard, Citrus, Escambia, Hernando, Indian River, Martin, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sumter and Walton counties.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage, with no pre-existing condition exclusions or markups. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov  Marketplace plans.

The Federal Health and Human Services Department is committed to ensuring that they deploy every available resource during the Public Health Emergency. This Special Enrollment Period will ensure that more individuals and families have access to quality, affordable health coverage during this unprecedented time," said HHS Acting Secretary Norris Cochran.
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“Many people can find good deals on the Marketplace and receive financial assistance to help lower their monthly health insurance costs,” said Ray. “The health insurance landscape can be confusing, but free, local help is available. You can find someone to help you navigate the enrollment process by visiting www.CoveringFlorida.org or calling 877-813-9115. Consumers should make an appointment starting now to get the comprehensive health insurance they need.” 

Media Contact: Jody Young  jody_r_young@att.net  561-704-3912

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Call us today for information on eligibility and to schedule an appointment for Special Enrollment. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you've had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. Florida residents impacted by Covid-19, including job or wage loss and related health insurance loss may qualify.  If you qualify for an SEP, you usually have up to 60 days following the event to enroll in a plan, so don't delay calling us to learn your options.

Covering Florida Navigators provide outreach and enrollment services free of charge to anyone looking to enroll for health care coverage in the
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace. 

We assist consumers with in-person, telephone and virtual online
enrollment service and provide public education and outreach activities
at locations throughout the state. 

Navigators are trained and able to help consumers as they look for health coverage options through the Marketplace, including completing eligibility
and enrollment forms. These individuals and organizations are required
​to be unbiased. Their services are free to consumers.

Covering Florida Navigators provide assistance in all of Florida’s 67 counties and offer confidential one-on-one customer service, phone assistance, and virtual appointments.

​Privacy Notice Statement:
If you schedule an appointment on this website, you will be contacted only for follow up regarding your appointment for application assistance or to send you educational information that is directly relevant to the authorized Navigator functions.

Enroll or Renew Online

Visit HealthCare.gov to find out if you are eligible for a special enrollment period and to enroll online. Remember, if you need help once you’ve started an application online, you can save it and schedule an appointment with a Navigator for further assistance.
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number NAVCA190357-02-00 from the U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of
​the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.