FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -  August 27, 2021
 
TAMPA, FL- 
 
Jodi Ray, Director of Florida Covering Kids & Families, (FL-CKF), a community and consumer-focused nonprofit initiative based at the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida, announced that her organization has received an $11.9 million dollar award from the US Health and Human Service Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a ninth year of Affordable Care Act Marketplace enrollment and outreach programs. The award funds the operations of the Covering Florida consortium of 10 regional partners located throughout Florida.
 
Florida once again enjoyed the greatest number of ACA Marketplace enrollees in the United States during both last year’s six-week Open Enrollment season, (OE8) as well as during the recent American Rescue Plan Act Special Enrollment Period which ended on August 15th.
 
The total award this year is a tremendous increase over last year’s $1.6 million grant, thanks to a renewed emphasis on the Affordable Care Act by the Biden Administration.  The funds will allow the consortium to expand its working team of Navigators statewide and allows Covering Florida to add two new consortium partners offering Navigator support in the state.  Covering Florida welcomes back a former partner, the 90 Works organization in Pensacola, and a brand new partner, the United Way of Brevard County. Additional funding from the award will also allow increased outreach and marketing services to help the program educate more consumers about the Marketplace.

Open Enrollment begins on November 1st this year and continues until December 15th for those needing coverage beginning January 1st, 2022. 
 
Ray stated “Our network of Navigators is recognized nationally for the service they provide to the communities across the state of Florida, for their high-quality work and for the amazing number of consumers who have been helped in gaining coverage for the last several years. Now more than ever, due to the acute needs related to the pandemic, our Navigators make an impactful difference in the lives of Floridians, and rest assured, we will continue our hard work and make best efforts on informing the public and helping them gain the coverage they deserve and access to the healthcare they need. Our services, as always are offered free of charge to Floridians and we need to get that information out to our normal audience as well as the countless residents who have been negatively impacted by the economics of Covid-19.”  

The 9th annual Open Enrollment season is coming on the heels of the most challenging year and a half that Floridians have faced in the health care arena.  The Covid-19 pandemic’s health impacts and its ongoing job and wage losses, and the related loss of employer-sponsored insurance make it tremendously important for consumers to be able to understand their options in successfully obtaining affordable health coverage for themselves and their families for 2022. 
 
Covering Florida navigators deliver free outreach and enrollment services to any Floridian that needs to enroll in health care coverage in the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace.  We assist consumers with telephone, in-person, and virtual online enrollment service and provide public education and outreach activities at locations throughout the state.  Our navigators are trained and certified to help consumers as they shop for their health coverage options through the Marketplace, including completing eligibility and enrollment forms. Covering Florida navigator services are free to consumers, and we provide confidential one-on-one customer assistance in all of Florida’s 67 counties.
 
The pandemic has resulted in a tremendously increased level of need for services, and anyone impacted can find out what their coverage options are now, prior to Open Enrollment.  Also, year-round Special Enrollment continues in order to assist eligible consumers who have lost or reduced income, change in residence or any of a number of other significant life changing circumstances. Please call us today to allow our team of experts help you with the specifics of your situation.
 
FL-CKF and its consortium partners have been providing Navigator services throughout the state of Florida since the first Open Enrollment period in 2013. The following partners comprise the 2021-2022 USF statewide consortium and are collectively known as "Covering Florida": 

Big Bend Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) - Serving Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, and Washington counties
Epilepsy Florida – Serving Broward, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties.
Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida– Serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.
Family Healthcare Foundation – Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk counties
Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida– Serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties.
90 Works- Serving Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties.
Primary Care Access Network (PCAN, Covering Central Florida)– Serving Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.
Suwannee River Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) - Serving Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union counties.
United Way of Brevard – Serving Brevard County.
University of South Florida Navigators– Providing Toll-Free and Virtual Services in ALL FL COUNTIES 

Covering Florida is frequently called upon as an expert in health insurance coverage and health literacy for its ability to reach out to diverse audiences and educate consumers about health insurance coverage and utilization including options under the Affordable Care Act, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicaid. Covering Florida reaches consumers through partner organizations and collaborates with hundreds of organizations, many of which provide direct service to thousands of health care consumers. The organization focuses largely on advocating for and increasing access to care and services via enrollment for individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals with disabilities, populations underserved in the current private health insurance market, and vulnerable populations by employing multi-lingual Navigators, producing brochures in multiple languages, conducting workshops, and providing interviews in multiple languages.  
 
For free in-person, telephone or virtual Navigator assistance state-wide visit 
http://www.coveringflorida.org/  or  call (877) 813-9115  

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

The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CA-NAV-21-001 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.
 

Make a Free Navigator Appointment Today to Help Assess Your Family’s Specific Health Care Coverage Situation


Tampa, Florida –The AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN included an extension of the Emergency Special Open Enrollment Period (SEP) for individuals and families to enroll in Health Insurance Marketplace coverage.  The emergency SEP began on February 1st and its original March 15th deadline was extended until August 15th.  This SEP has allowed individuals and families in states like Florida with Marketplaces served by the HealthCare.gov platform to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage for most of the year. To date, over 2.1 million Americans have responded and signed up for coverage, and as usual, Florida’s efforts have led the country, with over 413,000 sign-ups since February 15th!!
 
There are major financial impacts to the Marketplace costs and available subsidies contained in the new American Rescue Plan. The relief law makes coverage significantly more affordable for millions of people who either have marketplace coverage, are uninsured or have lost their employer coverage. In addition, it will eliminate repayment requirements for 2020 premium tax credits. Also, if you received or were approved for unemployment compensation at any time in 2021 there are further subsidies available to heavily discount costs. Our certified Covering Florida Navigators are ready and able to assist with your application, with no fee charged to consumers.
 
Covering Florida is the statewide consortium of certified Navigator groups partner organizations, with multiple partner organizations located throughout the state. Covering Florida operates under the umbrella of Florida Covering Kids & Families based at the University of South Florida.  The statewide partner groups 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 (ACA Navigation South 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.

As always, 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 now, before the August 15th Deadline to get the comprehensive health insurance they need. 

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

​Bottom Line Remains: Make a Free Navigator Appointment Today
​to Help Assess Your Family’s Specific Health Care Coverage Situation
​
​MARCH 31, 2021

The recently passed AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, the Biden Administration’s comprehensive effort to counter the economic and health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic includes an extension of the Emergency Special Open Enrollment Period (SEP) for individuals and families to enroll in Health Insurance Marketplace coverage.  The previously announced emergency SEP began on February 1st and was expected to expire on May 15th, however, that deadline has now been extended until August 15th. This SEP will allow individuals and families in states like Florida with Marketplaces served by the HealthCare.gov platform to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage for most of the year.
 
Additionally, there are major financial impacts to the Marketplace costs and available subsidies contained in the new American Rescue Plan that are going into effect this week, starting April 1. The $1.9 trillion covid relief law will make coverage significantly more affordable for millions of people who either have marketplace coverage, are uninsured or have lost their employer coverage. In addition, it will eliminate repayment requirements for 2020 premium tax credits. Consumers can begin to see those improvements next month but will need to go to healthcare.gov and update their application for the changes to take effect then. Our certified Covering Florida Navigators are ready and able to assist with the new process.
 
What’s new:  (portions courtesy of Kaiser Health News)
​
Enhanced Premium Subsidies for Marketplace Plans
When: 2021 and 2022

Who benefits: Just about everyone who has coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces. Premium costs for people eligible for subsidies will shrink by $50 per month on average, according to the federal government, but some people will see much larger savings.

Under the ACA, people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (from $12,760 to $51,040 for one person or $26,200 to $104,800 for a family of four) were eligible for premium tax credits to reduce their premiums for marketplace coverage. Under the changes passed in the new law, how much people owe is reduced at every income level and capped at 8.5% overall.

For example, a single person who makes $30,000 annually will pay $85 per month in premiums on average under the new law for a silver-level plan instead of $195, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A family of four making $75,000 will pay $340 rather than $588 per month for similar coverage.

For example, prior to the new law, an older customer not yet in Medicare with an income just over 400% of the federal poverty level in some states would be paying 20% to 30% of their income toward their health care premium. That will now be capped at 8.5%.”

At the other end of the income spectrum, people with incomes up to 150% of the poverty level ($19,140) will owe nothing in premiums. Under the ACA, they had been required to pay up to 4.14% of their income as their share of the premium cost.

Steps to take now:

• People who have marketplace coverage in Florida  should go back to www.Healthcare.gov to update their         applications and reselect their current plan if desired to get new details about their subsidies starting April 1.
• The enhanced tax credit is in effect for all of 2021 and 2022. For premiums paid for January through April, consumers can claim those premium tax credits when they file their taxes next year.
• People who don’t update their applications now will still be able to claim the additional tax credit amount when their file their taxes in 2022.

The more generous premium tax credits may mean people can switch to better coverage with lower cost sharing for the same contribution. Whether switching is a good decision for you depends on how much you’ll save in premiums and how much you’ve already paid in deductibles. But switching will pay off for enough people that they should consider checking to see what the prices are. This is especially true for older people; new subsidies could cut their cost of insurance by half. A Covering Florida Navigator can help you consider the available choices.
 

• People who bought a 2021 plan off the marketplace, perhaps because their income is too high to qualify for premium tax credits, will have to enroll in coverage on the marketplace now in order to get the new premium tax credits, said Straw.
• People who are uninsured can sign up now during the covid special enrollment period that runs through Aug. 15 on the federal exchange. People who sign up before April 1 should go back in after April 1 to update their applications.
• Consumers can reach out to us now for appointments through the Covering Florida website www.CoveringFlorida.org or by calling 877-813-9115, or by contacting any of our statewide partners listed below.

There are additional new provisions that are important to share with anyone who currently or has received or has been determined eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance in 2021. Under the American Rescue Plan, anyone who has received unemployment benefits this year will be considered to have income at 133% of the federal poverty level (about $17,000) for the purposes of calculating how much they owe in premium contributions for a marketplace plan. Since people with incomes up to 150% of the poverty level don’t owe anything in premiums under the new law, these unemployed workers can get a zero-premium plan. If they buy a silver-level plan, they can also be eligible for cost-sharing reductions that shrink their deductible and other out-of-pocket costs.

Officials are urging people receiving unemployment insurance to enroll in a marketplace plan now to take advantage of the law’s enhanced premium tax credits. The federal government said the additional savings for people who collect unemployment insurance will be available starting in early July.

People who are uninsured or have marketplace coverage can still receive the enhanced premium subsidies described above in the meantime. And because the new law excludes the first $10,200 in unemployment insurance from income for the 2020 tax year, people may be able to qualify for higher premium tax credits based on lower income.

Another provision of the new law allows for consumers to skip paying back excess Marketplace subsidies, benefitting people who earned more money last year than they estimated when they signed up for marketplace coverage. Under the ACA, people estimate their income for the upcoming year, and the marketplace estimates how much in premium tax credits can be advanced to them every month. At tax time, people reconcile their actual income with their projected income, and if they received too much in tax credits, they generally must pay it back to the government. The new covid relief bill eliminates that requirement for 2020.  A Covering Florida Navigator can assist you if you are in this category.
 
Finally, Floridians who lost their employer-sponsored coverage and want to stay on that plan can enjoy subsidies to cover 100% of COBRA premiums through September of 2021.  Generally, when people get laid off and lose their employer coverage, they can opt to keep it for 18 months, but they have to pay the entire premium plus a 2% administrative fee. This is done under provisions of a law known as COBRA. Under the new law, the federal government will pay the entire COBRA premium through September of this year.

For people undergoing treatment for a medical condition, it can be important to keep their coverage and existing providers. And switching plans midyear can leave people on the hook for a brand-new deductible. But the newly enacted enhanced premium tax credits and free marketplace coverage for people who collect unemployment insurance make marketplace coverage much more affordable than in the past. That could be important because, after September, the new COBRA subsidies will end and people will be responsible for the entire premium, unless the government puts in place a special enrollment period for that circumstance. Without another special enrollment period, they might not be able to get into a marketplace plan until January.

People who missed the original 60-day enrollment window for keeping their job-based coverage can go back and enroll in COBRA now. They have 60 days to enroll after they’re notified of the new provisions under the covid relief plan. They will not owe premiums back to their original eligibility date, but any medical claims they incurred before their enrollment won’t be covered. Consumers should review coverage to determine whether COBRA or marketplace coverage is the best, most affordable option.

Covering Florida is the statewide consortium of certified Navigator groups partner organizations, 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 (ACA Navigation South 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.
​
As always, you can find someone to help you navigate the enrollment process by visiting www.CoveringFlorida.org or calling 877-813-9115. Consumers are encouraged to make an appointment now to get the comprehensive health coverage they need. 

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

Tampa, Florida – In accordance with the Executive Order issued by President Biden, the Biden Department 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 enrollment period 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 operationalize functionality to 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 before time runs out.or (877) 813-9115.  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.govHealth Insurance Marketplace plans.

The Federal Health and Human Services Department is committed to ensuring that wewe 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.
“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 call 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

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.
xxx           

The Eighth Open Enrollment Season for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace begins on November 1st for 2021 Health Care Coverage
 
The Eighth Open Enrollment Season for the Affordable Care Act Marketplace begins on November 1st, to allow qualified Florida consumers to obtain Health Care Coverage for 2021.
 
This annual opportunity for Floridians will once again be available for six weeks, through December 15, 2020.  Florida Covering Kids & Families at the University of South Florida partners with organizations collectively referred to as the “COVERING FLORIDA” consortium, to provide Navigator services across the state of Florida. The number of Floridians enrolled in the Marketplace each year has consistently exceeded expectations over the past couple of years. Florida still consistently leads all Marketplace states in the United States in enrollments.
 
The 8th annual Open Enrollment season comes against the backdrop of the most challenging year that Floridians have faced in the health care arena.  The Covid-19 pandemic’s health challenges and its ongoing job and wage losses, the related loss of employer-sponsored insurance, and the confusion surrounding the ongoing legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act itself. Additionally, the current chatter involving Health Care Issues being debated during this election season have created a high level of disinformation and confusion about the facts that consumers need to be able to understand in order to successfully obtain coverage for themselves and their families for 2021. 
 
Covering Florida Navigators deliver free outreach and enrollment services to any Floridian that needs to enroll in health care coverage in the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace.  We assist consumers with telephone, in-person, and virtual online enrollment service and provide public education and outreach activities at locations throughout the state.  Our Navigators are trained and certified to help consumers as they shop for their health coverage options through the Marketplace, including completing eligibility and enrollment forms. Covering Florida Navigator services are free to consumers, we provide assistance in all of Florida’s 67 counties, and we offer confidential one-on-one customer service.
 
The pandemic has resulted in a tremendously increased level of need for services, and anyone impacted can find out what their coverage options are now, prior to Open Enrollment.  Also, year-round Special Enrollment continues in order to assist eligible consumers who have lost or reduced income, change in residence or any of a number of other significant life changing circumstances. Please call us today to allow our team of experts help you with the specifics of  your situation.
 
It is important to know that RIGHT NOW there is no change to prevent consumers from obtaining coverage for the 2021 calendar year. So please let us help by calling us today at 877-813-9115 or visit our website www.CoveringFlorida.org to schedule an appointment for Open Enrollment, which starts on November 1st and runs through December 15th for coverage beginning on January 1st, 2021.
 
 
Florida Covering Kids and Families and its consortium partners have been providing Navigator services throughout the state of Florida since the first Open Enrollment period in 2013. The following eight partners comprise the 2020-2021 Covering Florida statewide consortium and are collectively known as "Covering Florida": 

• 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

 
 
Sharing this information will help alert more Florida residents to the upcoming Open Enrollment Period and ongoing Special Enrollment for Covid-19 impacted consumers and others.  Consumers who are unable to secure insurance through employment owe it to themselves and their families to #GetCovered and insure themselves against potentially life-changing health related emergencies and developments or unexpected financial insecurity from medical bills.  Call or visit Covering Florida today at 877-813-9115 or www.CoveringFlorida.org
 
###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2020
 
Media Contact: Jody Young | 561-704-3912 | jody_r_young@att.net
 
 
TAMPA, FL- 
 
Jodi Ray, Director of Florida Covering Kids & Families,(FL-CKF), a community and consumer-focused nonprofit initiative of The Chiles Center, based in the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida, announced that her organization has received a $1.6 million dollar award from the US Health and Human Service Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for an eighth year of Affordable Care Act enrollment and outreach programs, for the current project year beginning this fall through August 2021.
 
Florida once again achieved the greatest number of Health Insurance Marketplace enrollments in the United States during last year’s 7th Open Enrollment season, (OE7) exceeding the most recent previous year’s results by nearly 10%, with 1.9 million Floridians  becoming covered under Marketplace plans.
 
The total award this year is a slight increase over last year’s $1.3 million and will allow the consortium to expand its team by welcoming back two new Covering Florida consortium partners offering Navigator support in the Northwest portion of the state.  Covering Florida welcomes back the Big Bend Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) team, covering Washington, Holmes, Jackson, Franklin,  Calhoun,  Liberty,  Gadsden,  Gulf, Leon, Wakulla, Madison,  Jefferson, Bay and  Taylor counties, and the  Suwannee River AHEC, which will provide assistance in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union counties.
 
In-person, online and telephonic assistance will allow the Covering Florida consortium to again cover the anticipated high demand for statewide enrollment services during OE8, particularly during the COVID pandemic.  Although we would prefer to have the ability to offer more in-person assistance, as research and experience shows that consumers are twice as likely to successfully enroll having in-person assistance as those who have attempted online without help. In addition, historically underserved communities have relied more on in-person assistance. Any Florida resident impacted by Covid with questions about available coverage should contact our office or local partners for the latest available options in their areas.
 
Open Enrollment begins on November 1st this year and continues until December 15th for those needing coverage beginning January 1st, 2021. The 2021 Open Enrollment window will again be limited this year to six-weeks, beginning November 1 until December 15th, so consumers need to once again be made aware of the early deadline.  
 
Ray stated “Our network of Navigators is recognized nationally for the service they provide to the communities across the state of Florida, for their high-quality work and for the amazing number of consumers who have been helped in gaining coverage for the last several years. Now more than ever, due to the acute needs related to the pandemic, our Navigators make an impactful difference in the lives of Floridians, and rest assured, we will continue our hard work and make best efforts on informing the public and helping them gain the coverage they deserve and access to the healthcare they need. Our services, as always are offered free of charge to Floridians and we need to get that information out to our normal audience as well as the countless residents who have been negatively impacted by the economics of Covid-19.”  

Ray continued, “Our Navigators not only do outreach and sign-ups, but we help consumers update their accounts, resolve data matching issues, understand their coverage options and how to use the coverage, file appeals and exemptions, inform them on the impact of unpaid premiums, and connect them to health care providers and community resources. Because of the decreased resources for outreach and marketing we will need more help from the communities and from the media to make sure the Open Enrollment window and deadlines are widely shared and publicized.” 

 
FL-CKF and its consortium partners have been providing Navigator services throughout the state of Florida since the first Open Enrollment period in 2013. The following partners comprise the 2020-2021 USF statewide consortium and are collectively known as "Covering Florida": 

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.
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
Big Bend Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) - Serving Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla and  Washington counties.
Suwannee River AHEC, - Serving Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union counties.
University of South Florida Navigators– Serving Brevard, Citrus, Escambia, Hernando, Indian River, Martin, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, St. Lucie,  Santa Rosa, Sumter and Walton counties
 
Covering Florida is frequently called upon as an expert in health insurance coverage and health literacy for its ability to reach out to diverse audiences and educate consumers about health insurance coverage and utilization including options under the Affordable Care Act, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicaid. Covering Florida reaches consumers through partner organizations and collaborates with hundreds of organizations, many of which provide direct service to thousands of health care consumers. The organization focuses largely on advocating for and increasing access to care and services via enrollment for individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals with disabilities, populations underserved in the current private health insurance market, and vulnerable populations by employing multi-lingual Navigators, producing brochures in multiple languages, conducting workshops, and providing interviews in various languages.  
 

For free in-person, telephone or virtual Navigator assistance state-wide visit 
http://www.coveringflorida.org/  or  call (877) 813-9115  
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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.

Covering Florida has been serving Florida residents through thick and thin over the last seven years by helping consumers navigate the sometimes confusing coverage options for ACA (Obamacare) marketplace health insurance.  We are facing the most severe health crisis of our lifetimes with the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the expected surge in unemployment numbers in Florida combined with the potential hazard of in-person meetings, Covering Florida Navigators across the state are prepared to assist.
 
If you find yourself being laid off due to business decisions related to the health crisis, the current rules provide a sixty-day eligibility window for you and your family, called a Special Enrollment Period, to sign up for a suitable health coverage plan available in your county.  Please do not wait until the last minute to seek help figuring out which plans are best for your health care needs.  As Information changes Covering Florida will be doing our very best to keep consumers updated through our website and social media outlets.
 
ACA enrollees can get personalized help discussing the often confusing details of health care coverage. Consumers can go to www.CoveringFlorida.org and select the scheduling an appointment button to meet with a trained assister virtually or telephonically. Consumers can also call the Covering Florida marketplace number 877-813-9115 which is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
 
Covering Florida has trained navigators who can help consumers review the basics of health insurance, walk them through filling out the online application and explain how federal subsidies for premiums and cost sharing work. Navigators have gone through the federally regulated training and typically provide in-person, telephonic or virtual assistance. Unlike insurance agents and brokers, our navigators have no financial stake in the plans people select and the help a Navigator provides is always free and unbiased.
 
 
Navigators not only help marketplace enrollees renew and change coverage, they also help people enrolling for the first time.  Jodi Ray is the Program Director of Florida Covering Kids & Families at the University of South Florida and manages the statewide Covering Florida program. “We’ve tried to be real creative in our approach in order to reach as many people as possible,” Ray says. “One way we’re trying to provide services is offering virtual and phone appointments to anyone in the state.”
 
“We don’t make a recommendation” for a particular plan, Ray says. “Our job is to make sure you understand enough that you feel confident in the decision you make.”
 
Parents should also be aware that Florida KidCare offers head-to-toe coverage for children from birth through age 18, and applications for coverage can be completed 365 days a year. The program assists the public in applying for coverage in Florida Healthy Kids, Medicaid, MediKids and Children’s Medical Services. You can visit https://www.healthykids.org/kidcare/faq/ for info and to apply or call 1-888-540-KIDS (5437). You can apply using a single application. Many families pay $15 or $20 per month, but most pay nothing at all.  Our Covering Florida navigators should be able to find answers to questions regarding Florida KidCare as well.
 
We wish good health for all Floridians, but in the event of a health care need, its best to know that you can #GetCovered and #StayCovered.   Please follow your local health department, government and CDC websites for updated info on the COVID-19 crisis.
 
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Reprinted from USF Health's College of Public Health News 


January 24, 2020 

The numbers are in and 1.9 million Floridians selected or were re-enrolled in health care plans in 2020 during the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) open enrollment period held from Nov. 1 to Dec. 21.

That’s about a 200,000 increase from last year, despite an 85 percent cut in grant funding, said Jodi Ray, a USF College of Public Health (COPH) instructor II and program director of Florida Covering Kids and Families (FL-CKF).  FL-CKF manages the USF State Navigator Program and nearly a dozen other organizations (collectively referred to as the “Covering Florida” consortium) that provide Navigator services across Florida.

“I’m shocked, but happy,” commented Ray. “Previously we had a marketing budget and all this support to get information about health care coverage out there. But that’s now been cut. And they also cut enrollment assistance. Some states have completely done away with their Navigator Programs—they couldn’t support one on the money they were given. And despite the fact that the number of insured has gone down during this administration, Florida’s enrollment has actually gone up—every single year.”

How was ACA enrollment able to increase when the funding that promoted and facilitated it was cut to the bone?
Key, said Ray, was extending Covering Florida’s reach by teaming with community and government partners.

“We’ve been targeting a lot of vulnerable populations, such as those where English is a second language and those who are re-entering society after jail time,” commented Ray. “We’re also working with the Mexican consulate in Orlando, the Epilepsy Foundation in South Florida, Healthy Start and faith-based and LGBTQ partners—populations that we know are at risk of being uninsured or of not having access to health care. In addition, I work with a lot of elected officials. We’ve really pushed them to use things like social media to get the word out about Covering Florida so their constituents can get the ACA info they need.”

Another factor helping to drive enrollment: offering virtual sign-up sessions.

“We had to look at how we were going to serve the state with so much less in terms of money and personnel,” explained Ray, who noted that the number of state Navigators dwindled from a high of 152 a few years ago to a mere 25 now. “Virtual enrollment has really helped us serve people in an area where we don’t have Navigators on the ground.”

Despite the limitations, Ray said she’s proud of her FL-CKF team’s continued commitment to serving Floridians around the state.
“I’m really impressed with my team and their ability to go with the changes,” said Ray. “I’m so pleased with all that we’ve accomplished and with what we continue to accomplish.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health