Families with Healthy Kids Full Pay Insurance can shop for different coverage on Healthcare.gov

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Is your child enrolled in a Florida Healthy Kids Full Pay Insurance plan?

If so, you may have received a letter regarding important information about your child’s coverage. Earlier this year, 36,000 Florida families were informed that their rates for their children’s insurance would be increasing on Oct. 1, 2015. For example, one of the Florida Healthy Kids Full Pay plans currently costs $153 per month per child. Beginning Oct. 1, 2015, that same plan will now cost $299 per month per child.

What are your options now that Florida Healthy Kids Full Pay Insurance has increased in price?

One option is to keep the plan you have and pay the increase. Another option is to shop for affordable insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Health Insurance Marketplace, or “Obamacare,” is extending its Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to allow families impacted by the rate increase to enroll in health insurance on Healthcare.gov. Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is closed and does not open again until Nov. 1, 2015, however, SEPs allow families to enroll in health insurance coverage outside of Open Enrollment. Allowing families in this situation to qualify for an SEP permits them to seek out alternative health coverage for their children on Healthcare.gov before the Florida Healthy Kids full-pay premium increase goes into effect.

Is there help available as you explore different health coverage options for your child?

For families who would like assistance with claiming an SEP, reviewing options and enrolling in a new plan for their child on Healthcare.gov, there is free help available through the North Central Florida Navigator Program. For more information and to contact a Navigator in your area, visit http://ncfnavigators.org/ or call 352-299-0380.

WellFlorida Council, the health council for North Central Florida and consultant for health causes, oversees the Navigator program in 15 counties.