Florida Blue Announces Continuation of Individual Health Care Plans through 2014

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Blue announced today that individual members may extend through 2014 their existing policies that were scheduled to be discontinued due to non-compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Floridians will continue to have a choice to select  new coverage plans available under the ACA.

The ACA mandated that all health plans provide 10 categories of essential health benefits. Because some plans offered did not include these benefits, they were no longer available and members were notified that they were being transitioned to new plans that complied with the ACA requirements.

"Florida Blue has been an advocate for our members and we complied with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which called for the inclusion of essential health benefits in all individual plans.  We notified impacted members and offered them the option of comparable and compliant plans giving them access to a wide variety of choices to meet their individual health care needs.  Additionally, we offered a number of choices for members to learn about the new options—in-person, online or by phone," said Pat Geraghty, chairman and CEO of Florida Blue.

In conjunction with President Obama's announcement today, Florida Blue will allow individual members to continue their existing health care coverage or explore new plan options under the ACA.  Affected members will receive new letters from Florida Blue informing them that they can continue to utilize their existing plan through 2014.  Florida Blue is currently examining the impact on small group plans.

The company will continue to reach out to members to offer guidance related to their health care needs. Members are encouraged to contact Florida Blue by phone at 1-800-FLA-BLUE (1-800-352-2583), through a contracted general agent, or by visiting one of our 16 retail centers throughout the state.

Florida Blue continues to offer current and future members an array of insurance options, providing marketplace plans in all 67 Florida counties in all metal categories – the only insurer in the state to do so.

About Florida Blue

Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, is a leader in Florida's health care industry. Our mission is to help people and communities achieve better health. Florida Blue has approximately 4.3 million health care members and covers 15.8 million people in 16 states through its affiliated companies. Florida Blue is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.floridablue.com.

SOURCE Florida Blue