Florida Leads the Nation in Obamacare Signups
Posted Dec. 7, 2015 11:15 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
It's been a very busy month for those helping to enroll
Floridians in health insurance plans under the Affordable Care
Act, but those on the ground say there's still more
work to be done to reach the state's uninsured.
Right now, Florida leads the nation for the number of
people enrolling or renewing coverage in health
insurance plans during the current open enrollment, with
nearly 445,000 people in the past four weeks.
Cheryl Fish-Parcham, private insurance program director
with the nonprofit Families USA, says the state still
has a long way to go, especially when it comes to
reaching traditionally underserved populations, where
she says the need for preventive services is great.
"For example, Latino adults are 80 percent more likely
to have diabetes than whites," says Fish-Parcham.
"Latino teenagers are 80 percent more likely to have
attempted suicide than whites. And so screening for
diabetes and depression can help identify problems early
and get people into needed treatment."
The current enrollment window is open through the end of
next month, but those looking for coverage to begin on
January first must enroll by Dec. 15.
Free enrollment assistance is available across the state and can be found by logging on to coverflorida.org.
Fish-Parcham says those who have previously enrolled
might be able to find a lower-premium plan by returning
to the marketplace, and she urges all Floridians to
think carefully about the high price tag that can come
with foregoing coverage.
"It's important to consider the costs that you would pay
if you didn't get coverage, which could include the
financial penalties plus enormous health-care costs,"
she says.
In 2016, the fines for those who do not have coverage or
have health insurance through their employer or a
federal program such as Medicaid will increase to $695,
or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever amount is
greater.
Fish-Parcham notes in many cases, $695 could purchase a
full year's coverage.
Photos/graphics and links added by the Observer
This piece was reprinted by the Columbia County Observer with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.