top of page
Open For Business

HEALTH CARE THAT SAVES LIVES AND MONEY.

A strong and healthy workforce is key to a thriving Florida economy. The unaffordable cost of health care is making it tough for workers in Florida's key industries to get covered and for employers to stay competitive.

In Florida, parents in a family of three with an annual income between $6,936 - $23,030 are ineligible for health care through Medicaid. There is no help at all for working adults without children.

Closing the health care gap would expands access to health care for over 500,000 Floridians and return more than $14 billion of our tax dollars home from Washington, D.C. It also saves Florida's budget almost
$200 million annually.


It's time to bring our tax dollars home and help employers offer workers comprehensive coverage.
Summer: Florida's Coverage Gap

Summer: Florida's Coverage Gap

Play Video
  • When is open enrollment and where can I get help?
    The Affordable Care Act Marketplace open enrollment period starts on November 1st until December 15th. Schedule an appointment at www.coveringflorida.org or call Covering Florida for more info at 877-813-9115. Covering Florida Navigators provide FREE enrollment assistance in all of Florida’s 67 counties and offer confidential one-on-one customer service, phone assistance, and virtual appointments to anyone looking to enroll for health care coverage.
  • How do Special Enrollment Periods work?
    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. Call the Covering Florida navigators (877-813-9115) today for information on eligibility and to schedule an appointment for Special Enrollment.
  • What if I have a pre-existing condition?
    All Marketplace plans must cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions. No insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started. Once you’re enrolled, the plan can’t deny you coverage or raise your rates based only on your health. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) also can't refuse to cover you or charge you more because of your pre-existing condition. Under the law, insurers are prohibited from using a consumer’s health status to deny coverage (guaranteed issue), set individual and small group market rates (community rating), exclude coverage of pre-existing conditions, or cancel a policy. Guaranteed issue: The requires insurers to offer health insurance products to everyone in the market, regardless of health status. Community rating: The ACA’s rating rules prohibit insurers from charging higher premiums based on an insured’s health status and they can only vary rates based on geographic rating area, age (limited to a 3:1 differential), tobacco use (limited to a 1.5:1 differential), and whether or not it is individual or family coverage. Ban on Pre-existing Condition Exclusions: Under the ACA, insurers are not allowed to limit or exclude coverage of services and treatment based on an enrollee’s pre-existing condition.

MEDICAID EXPANSION WILL SAVE FLORIDA MONEY. REALLY.

Direct budget savings that exceed the new costs create net savings for Florida's budget.

-$442M

State Cost of Expansion

  • Florida's federal tax dollars will be returned to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid expansion.
  • Florida's 10% match will help cover an estimated 964,000 state residents.
  • The 90-10 split is better than the 60-40 split of traditional Medicaid. 

+$226M

Savings From Enhanced Federal Matching Rates

The enhanced federal matching rate (90%) will also extend to groups Florida's Medicaid program currently includes, like the medically needy, providing substantial savings. 

+$355M

Savings From Replacing State Funds With Federal Medicaid Funds

Under Expansion, federal Medicaid will cover costs that are currently completely paid for by Florida's General Revenue funds, like behavioral health and correction services.

+$19M

Gains From Increased Provider and Hospital Tax Revenue

With the increased economic activity for health care providers, the state will gain more in tax revenue. 

Total Net Savings From Expanding Medicaid in Florida:

+$198M

Read full Florida Policy Institute Savings report: www.bit.ly/flmedexsavings 

BUT THERE'S MORE...

Capitol-Icon[big] (2).png

+ $3 Billion

The American Rescue Plan gives states that newly expand a 5-percentage point increase in their base federal medical assistance percentage (or FMAP) for two years. According to estimates from Kaiser Family Foundation and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Florida would receive between $3 billion and $3.5 billion additional dollars to fund health care.

CFWYX23KD5E4RJ7QPHLCQJR36U.jpg

Are You Uninsured and Don't Qualify for Medicaid?

Share Your Story and Recieve a $20 gift card.

Florida Voices for Health is capturing the stories of Floridians to help leaders understand why we need to close the coverage gap. 

 

Participants must be:

  1. Uninsured (or about to lose coverage)

  2. Ineligible for Medicaid and ACA Marketplace tax credits.

​

By telling us your story, you help speak for people who may be facing issues just like yours. You have the opportunity to help change the future for millions of Floridians.

​

How Does It Work?

​

  • Fill out the form below

  • Text us at 850.296.2241

  • Email us at FLVOICES@healthyfla.org

  • Find us on Facebook Messenger (@FLVoices4Health)

​

Submit your story using the form below. After you submit your story, a member of our staff may contact you to learn more about your situation and to ensure that Florida Voices for Health understands your story in detail.

​

Florida Voices for Health will match participants with opportunities to share their stories publicly. Opportunities may include: requests from the media, policymakers, and advocates; use in our online efforts; and use in our policy briefs.

​

We will always ask your permission before we release any contact information or highlight your story, and you can always opt out of any opportunity.

​

By submitting your story you agree to our consent and release guidelines.

Marquis: Florida's Coverage Gap

Marquis: Florida's Coverage Gap

Play Video
bottom of page