Florida Blue extends payment deadline

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Blue announced today that it will extend the premium payment deadline to January 28 for new members who enrolled in a health plan by December 24 for a January 1, 2014 effective date.

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Florida Blue had previously extended the payment deadline to January 10.

"We have extended the payment deadline to support the Government's decision to allow individuals to enroll later in December, so the time available to make a payment was shorter than usual for many people, especially with the holidays," said Joseph Gregor, vice president of Consumer and Exchange Markets for Florida Blue. "We are doing everything possible to help people who have applied for January 1 coverage complete the enrollment process."

Members must pay their first month's bill by January 28. Members who do not make their payment by the January 28 deadline will have to reapply and make a payment by February 15 for coverage effective on March 1.

Customers can make payments in several different ways: by phone, online or in person by visiting any of Florida Blue's 18 retail centers.

Consumers who have not yet applied for a health plan can talk directly with a health plan advisor or licensed Florida Blue agent to determine the best plan to meet their needs, and ensure that each form is completed correctly to take advantage of any available tax credit or federal assistance.

Consumers who did not enroll October through December for a January 1 effective date will need to follow the established Government calendar for enrollment and effective dates. Applications received by January 15 will have a February 1 effective date for coverage. Applications for coverage after January 15 will have an effective date of March 1. The final deadline to apply is March 31, 2014.

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 million health care members and covers 15.5 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 http://www.floridablue.com/.

SOURCE Florida Blue