FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2019
 
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 $1.3 million dollar award from the US Health and Human Service Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a seventh year of Affordable Care Act enrollment and outreach programs, for the current project year beginning August 30, 2019. 
 
(https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/Health-Insurance-Marketplaces/Downloads/2019-Navigator-Grant-Recipients.pdf)
 
Florida achieved the greatest number of Health Insurance Marketplace enrollments in the country during last year’s 6th Open Enrollment season,(OE6),matching the very successful Open Enrollment 5's total of 1.7 million Floridians. The OE6 success was notable as it occurred despite significant funding cuts last year which reduced the number of state Navigator partnership groups from 10 to 5.  We are pleased that this year’s award will allow us to maintain current partnerships and staffing levels.
 
The award announcement also confirmed that an additional $1.3 million was allotted by CMS for OE8 enrollment and outreach programs for late 2020 through 2021. The total per year is a slight increase over last year’s $1.25 million.
 
In-person, online and telephonic assistance will allow the Covering Florida consortium to again cover the anticipated high demand for statewide enrollment services during OE7. 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. 
 
Open Enrollment begins on November 1st this year and continues until December 15th for those needing coverage beginning January 1st, 2020. The 2020 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. 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.”  
 
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 2019-2020 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, Hendry, Lee, Sarasota, Highlands, Hardee, and Manatee counties
• Primary Care Access Network– Serving Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties
• Epilepsy Florida – Serving Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties
• Family Healthcare Foundation – Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties
• University of South Florida Navigators– Serving Madison, Taylor, Jefferson, Gadsden, Wakulla, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf, Bay, Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee and Union 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  
### 
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS 1Y1-19-001 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.

Northwest Florida Open Enrollment Extension Information for 2019 Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage 

 
The regular Open Enrollment deadline for Florida Marketplace consumers ended last month on December 15th.  Because of the impact on the panhandle and other NW Florida communities by Hurricane Michael, individuals affected by Michael in 2018 will be eligible for an Additional Special Enrollment Period (SEP) which extends the Health Insurance Marketplace 2019 Annual Open Enrollment Period through February 16, 2019. These individuals will be required to attest that they meet the following eligibility requirements: 
 
1) They resided in any of the counties that are eligible to apply for “individual assistance” or “public assistance” from FEMA either during the FEMA-designated incident period for the major disaster declaration for Hurricane Michael, or at the time of application for enrollment; and 
 
2) They were affected by the disaster, and it prevented them from completing enrollment.  The counties with eligible residents include Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington.
 
Consumers with questions can receive FREE and confidential telephone or virtual Navigator assistance state-wide from a Covering Florida Navigator by calling (877) 813-9115 or by scheduling an appointment at  http://www.coveringflorida.org/  
 
Additional SEP eligible individuals may also contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 or TTY at 1-855-889-4325 to request enrollment using this SEP after December 15, 2018.  
 
As with all Health Insurance Marketplace plans, financial assistance may be available. Consumers who receive financial assistance will be required to file U.S. Federal income taxes for 2019.  For more information, call Covering Florida at 877-813-9115

For more specific details on the Additional SEP please visit https://www.cms.gov/ccIIO/Resources/Regulations-and-Guidance/Downloads/AdditionalSEPHurricaneMichael.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3qSWGiOQqnbdlz5tiEW_0iJXf1vZfiuqAgaj7eQM7EtV9HkLrkpqybWx0


 
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number NAVCA180333-01-00from 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."

 
Enrollment event open to USF campus, and the community; anyone with questions about coverage welcome

Tampa, FL (12/05/2018)-- An on-site, free, community enrollment event to help consumers learn more about their coverage options through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., December 15, 2018, at the University of South Florida  Navigator Office located at 3500 East Fletcher Avenue, Suite 530, Tampa, FL  33613.

USF Navigators will be able to assist people with Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment or plan renewals.  Navigators will offer education about Marketplace insurance, assist individuals and families with coverage choices, and guide those interested in enrolling through the application process.

USF Florida Covering Kids & Families (FL-CKF) was awarded a $1.25 million Navigator grant for the 2018-2019 enrollment period. FL-CKF works with 5 consortium partners across the state to help those who want assistance understanding and enrolling in healthcare coverage available through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
​
The last date to enroll for coverage that begins January 1, 2019, and the final day that 2018 enrollees can change policies before being “auto-reenrolled” in their previous health care coverage plans, is December 15, 2018.

Enrollment event walk-ins are welcome, but scheduled appointments are highly recommended. For more information or to schedule an appointment for this event or any other time before the deadline on December 15th, please call toll-free (877) 813-9115.

Other Important Information:
Free parking is available on site.  Due to building renovations, we kindly request that you park in the back of the building (west side), and enter through the door located in the center of the building.
                                                                    
-USF Health-
USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a Top 50 research university in total research expenditures among both public and private institutions nationwide, according to the National Science Foundation.For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu
​###
 
 
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number NAVCA180333-01-00from 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.

Floridians needing 2019 Health Care Coverage Need to Take Action Now to #GetCovered and #StayCovered

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2018
 
Media Contact: Jody Young | 561-704-3912 | jody_r_young@att.net
 
 
TAMPA, FL-
 
The story of Open Enrollment 6 (OE6) so far is that, despite mixed messaging, consumer confusion and dire budget cuts, Floridians are still demanding affordable and accessible health care.
 
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, has been telling anyone listening of our concerns that the sixth year of Affordable Care Act enrollment and outreach programs in Florida was facing critical shortages in both manpower and outreach funds.
 
Despite those concerns, Floridians are still signing up and that is a very encouraging sign…but there remains much work to be done until the December 15th deadline for Open Enrollment. 
 
Ray stated, “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 refer them to health care providers and community resources. Because of the decreased resources for outreach and marketing we will still need more help from the communities and from the media during early December to make sure the Open Enrollment window and deadlines is 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 2018-2019 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, Hendry, Lee, Sarasota, Highlands, Hardee, and Manatee counties
• Primary Care Access Network– Serving Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties
• Epilepsy Florida – Serving Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties
• Family Healthcare Foundation – Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties
• University of South Florida Navigators– Serving Madison, Taylor, Jefferson, Gadsden, Wakulla, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf, Bay, Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee and Union 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  
###
 
 
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number NAVCA180333-01-00from 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2018
 
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 today that her organization has received a $1.25 million dollar award from the US Health and Human Service (HHS) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)  for a sixth year of Affordable Care Act enrollment and outreach programs, for the current project year beginning September 13, 2018. 
 
On September 12, 2018, CMS released the funding announcement for the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace Navigators for 2018-2019, which reduced national funding to $10 million, and Florida’s funding to $1.25 million.  This represents a 75% reduction for the FL-CKF statewide project from last year’s funding amount. The funding reduction has resulted in the elimination of a number of longstanding partners in the consortium and Navigators across the state. Additional online and telephonic assistance will hopefully allow the Covering Florida consortium to cover the anticipated demand for enrollment services. 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. Covering Florida is now the only CMS funded Navigator organization in the entire state of Florida. 
 
Open Enrollment begins on November 1st this year and continues until December 15th for those needing coverage beginning January 1st, 2019. The 2019 Open Enrollment window will again be limited this year to six-weeks, so consumers need to be made aware of the earlier 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. 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.” 
 
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 refer 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 2018-2019 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, Hendry, Lee, Sarasota, Highlands, Hardee, and Manatee counties
• Primary Care Access Network– Serving Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties
• Epilepsy Florida– Serving Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties
• Family Healthcare Foundation – Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties
• University of South Florida Navigators– Serving Madison, Taylor, Jefferson, Gadsden, Wakulla, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf, Bay, Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee and Union 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  
 
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMSNAVCA180333-01-00
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.

Florida's Affordable Care 
Navigators Rock!

TAMPA, FL - June 19, 2018
For Immediate Release


As the Florida summer heats up, all of our Navigators at Covering Florida are still working long hours, helping consumers who have experienced a qualifying life event and become eligible for Affordable Care Act Marketplace Insurance coverage during the current Special Enrollment period (click for eligibility opportunities!). They are hosting and staffing events throughout the state virtually every day of the week, doing community outreach, answering questions that both new and existing consumers may have, and helping existing clients and new clients to solve problems and maintain their financial data. Covering Florida Navigators are making sure they can do all that they can to keep Florida families covered for their health care needs.

At the same time, our Covering Florida team is anxiously awaiting news and details from our Washington D.C. partner agencies to determine what is in store for us for the fast approaching 6th year of Open Enrollment, or OE6 as we call it around the offices. We’re also looking back at the success of our Covering Florida Navigators over the past 5 years of Open Enrollment.

Success comes in many forms. Usually it means that a person or team of people exceeded a certain goal. Sometimes just duplicating or coming close to a previous effort can be seen as successful, particularly when there are challenges added to the mix. During the 3-month OE4 period, Florida was a national leader in successfully enrolling 1,760,025 million consumers for ACA Marketplace health insurance coverage. After that successful year, as planning for OE5 was underway, we were informed that the time frame for Open Enrollment was being cut in half. We then learned of deep budget and outreach program cuts that would necessarily result in less personnel going into the new enrollment year. We also learned of insurer rate hikes due to the changing landscape. Facing tremendous challenges like these left many wondering how on earth the Covering Florida team could effectively meet its goals in getting Florida consumers the coverage they would need for 2018.

The Navigator teams at Covering Florida responded to these challenges by turning them into opportunity. We built new alliances with activist groups who wanted to make sure healthcare remained affordable and accessible. Media partners in Florida doubled down to help us get the word out. A big effort was made to expand our social media outreach and push for earned media to help us tell the story that we had to tell. Local Navigator groups around Florida worked harder and for longer hours to get the job done with less team members on board.

Open Enrollment 5 for 2018 coverage began on November 1, 2017 and ended December 15, 2017, although residents in Florida and a few other areas actually had until March 31, 2018 to enroll, due to the hurricane-related special enrollment period. The results of all that hard work, time and effort paid off royally: 1,715,227 people enrolled in plans through the Florida exchange during the OE5 period for 2018 coverage. Although this is slightly lower than the state’s 2017 enrollment, it is still by far the highest in the country.

We are looking forward to continuing that success in securing health care for Florida’s consumers in 2019, in spite of the potential roadblocks. As Covering Florida’s Navigators await their marching orders for OE6, we continue to reach out to more potential community partners, to Florida elected officials from DC and Tallahassee right down to our towns and villages, and to health care organizations, making sure they are aware of the success of our program over the last 5 years. We are always seeking additional resources and support for our outreach efforts, because reaching consumers in the face of often conflicting news about the future of the Affordable Care Act is an uphill battle we face every day.  Stay tuned for more developments soon!


 

About Covering Florida: Florida Covering Kids & Families is the lead entity for a Cooperative Agreement with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide Navigator services throughout Florida. FL-CKF is a community and consumer-focused non-profit initiative of The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, based in the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida. Learn more here.

###
For free in-person Navigator assistance state-wide call (877) 813-9115 or visithttp://www.coveringflorida.org/  

Media inquiries please call Jody Young at 561-704-3912 or jody_r_young@att.net
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS-CA-NAV-15-001 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.”

Certain Floridians who submitted an application within the last two weeks of December 2017, but were not determined eligible for Special Enrollment (SEP) at that time, will be eligible for this new SEP. Details are below, but feel free to contact us at Covering Florida 877-813-9115 for assistance if needed. 

​
On September 28, 2017, CMS released guidance about a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and other flexibilities that were available for consumers affected by Hurricanes and hurricane-related weather events that occurred in 2017.  The guidance included information about an Exceptional Circumstance SEP that allowed affected consumers to select a 2018 Marketplace plan or make changes to their existing 2018 plan from December 16 to December 31, 2017.

CMS has identified consumers who were erroneously denied access to this Exceptional Circumstances SEP and is notifying these consumers of eligibility for another SEP due to the error or misrepresentation of the Marketplace.  These consumers will be able to select a 2018 Marketplace plan or make changes to their existing 2018 plan by May 24, 2018.  Coverage accessed under this SEP will begin June 1st or July 1st, depending on the date the consumer selects their plan.  Consumers wishing to access coverage prior to June 1st must file an appeal within 90 days of the date of SEP Eligibility Notice.  
 
Who is eligible?Individuals who attested to residing in an area affected by a 2017 hurricane or hurricane related event who submitted an application within the last two weeks of December, but were not determined eligible for an SEP at that time, will be eligible for this new SEP.  Per the September 28, 2017 guidance, an area is considered affected if it is a county meeting the level of “individual assistance” or “public assistance” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What documentation is needed?CMS has identified the population eligible for this SEP within Marketplace systems so that they can be easily identified by the Marketplace Call Center representatives and other CMS officials.   Anyone eligible for this SEP will receive a hard copy notice of this SEP in the mail.   CMS will not require the submission of any documentation to prove eligibility for this SEP. 
Steps to helping a consumer access this SEP:Eligible consumers can access this SEP directly through HealthCare.gov or through the Marketplace Call Center. 

To pick a plan through HealthCare.gov, consumers should:
1.     Log into their Marketplace account.
2.     Select “Start a new application or update an existing one.”
3.     Click on their name in the top right of the screen and choose “My applications & coverage.”
4.     Select your current application. You’ll see steps to continue to enrollment for anyone who was eligible to buy a 2018 Marketplace plan.
​
Note: Consumers will not be able to access this SEP through HealthCare.gov if they make changes to their online application.  If a consumer has had changes to their application since they last applied, like changes to household income or family size, they should call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to update their information and enroll. 

 Agency provides extended special enrollment periods for 2018 Medicare and Exchange coverage
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced additional opportunities for individuals affected by the 2017 hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enroll in Medicare health and drug plans and health coverage through the Federal Health Insurance Exchange.  CMS is providing these special enrollment periods so that certain individuals and families who were impacted can access health coverage on the Exchange and have additional time to join, drop, or switch Medicare health and prescription drug plans.  CMS announced initial special enrollment period opportunities in September, this extends these opportunities through March 31, 2018.
 
Marketplace Open Enrollment ended for Florida health care consumers on December 31, after an extended period allowed due to the hurricane impacts on Florida and other areas.
 
 Our Covering Florida Navigators are still working throughout the state and can assist consumers with contacting the Marketplace Exchange Call Center.  Our Navigators can also provide education and outreach to groups wishing to help in outreach efforts to those individuals and families who may be eligible for this extended opportunity. 
 
For special extended enrollment program information in Spanish, click here: En español  
 
Covering Florida Navigators continue to provide information and direct assistance to those Florida health care consumers who are or who may become eligible for health care coverage during the ongoing Special Enrollment Period (SEP) continuing through the fall of 2018.
 
SEP is a time outside of the open enrollment period during which you and your family have a right to sign up for health coverage.  Individuals qualify for a SEP if you have experienced any of the following life events, including, but not limited to, losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. In most cases, the SEP is open for 60 days following the triggering event and everyone in the family will qualify for an SEP if any one member of a family loses their coverage.
  
Call Covering Florida today with any questions, you can reach us at 877-813-9115

TAMPA, FL - December 22, 2017
For Immediate Release

A lot more Floridians than we expected are going to have peace of mind and one less worry because they enrolled for Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage during the six weeks of Open Enrollment. Figures released yesterday by HHS show that Florida again led the way in enrollments among Affordable Care Act Marketplace states with 1.7 Million consumers . 

The 1.7 Million figure matched last year’s total enrollment, an achievement that no one had expectations of happening.
 
Jodi Ray , the Project Director for the statewide Covering Florida consortium had the following statement:
 
"Hearing that we matched last year’s total of 1.7 Million Floridians is amazing and proves not just how hard everyone worked to help as many consumers as feasibly possible, but just how great the need is and the personal desire to have health care coverage is to Floridians and Americans across the country. The fact that our statewide consortium was able to help achieve those numbers in half the time and in spite of serious budget cuts is in large part due to the help received from our partners, including the University of South Florida, CBS Community Partnerships, Get America Covered, Young Invincibles, League of Women Voters, traditional and social media outlets, statewide & local advocacy groups and grassroots activists and individuals. Thank you to everyone who committed to getting their friends, family and communities covered and stepped up and reached those people who now have 2018 coverage. Take a minute during the upcoming holiday period to sit back and appreciate this success you helped achieve. Covering Florida wishes everyone a VERY HEALTHY 2018!! "
 
 
Because of the Hurricane season impacts, Floridians can still get covered and be able to enjoy a healthier 2018 before the Hurricane Special Enrollment opportunity ends on December 31 st .
Exceptional Circumstances (Hurricane) SEP Eligible individuals may contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 or TTY at 1-855-889-4325 to request enrollment using this SEP after December 15, 2017. 
 
Special Enrollment Period Details:
Since all of Florida’s counties were impacted by Hurricanes this season, consumers must need only verbally attest that they were impacted in and/or relocated to one of those counties due to living in an area that was provided assistance by FEMA due to Hurricane Maria or Hurricane Irma. Consumers are not required to have had, or show proof of insurance for 60 days prior to the SEP. Documentation to support your attestation will not be required.
 
As with all Health Insurance Marketplace plans, financial assistance may be available. Consumers who receive financial assistance will be required to file US Federal income taxes for 2018. For more information, call Covering Florida at 877-813-9115.
 


About Covering Florida: Florida Covering Kids & Families is the lead entity for a Cooperative Agreement with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide Navigator services throughout Florida. FL-CKF is a community and consumer-focused non-profit initiative of The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, based in the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida. Learn more here .

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

Media inquiries please call Jody Young at 561-704-3912 or jody_r_young@att.net
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS-CA-NAV-15-001 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.”