Healthy Kids Press Contact,
Ashley Carr, Chief Marketing Officer,
(850) 701-6160, [email protected].
December 12, 2000
TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, an organization dedicated to providing quality health care to Florida's uninsured school-age children, is pleased to announce the implementation of a dental benefits package for Healthy Kids participants. A staggered roll-out of the dental plan may begin as early as February 1, 2001.
During the 2000 legislative session, the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation received funding from the Florida Legislature to add comprehensive dental benefits into the already existing medical benefits package. At a recent Board of Directors meeting, Healthy Kids awarded multi-year contracts to Atlantic Dental, Inc., CompDent Corporation and Delta Dental Insurance Company. The benefits provided through these contracts include full diagnostic and preventive services, basic and restorative care, as well as major restorative treatment from a network of participating dentists.
Healthy Kids recognizes the need to offer health benefits which are appropriate to the lifestyle and age of children. In conjunction with benefits such as regular doctor visits and immunizations, dental care is essential to the health of our youngest citizens.
"Healthy Kids is thrilled to be able to add dental benefits to the program. We have always been dedicated to providing quality benefits to the children enrolled in the program," said Rose Naff, Executive Director of the Healthy Kids program. "Providing dental benefits is another step in ensuring that these children will be healthy and happy."
It is estimated that more than 500,000 of Florida's children lack health insurance. The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, a nonprofit organization, was established by the Florida Legislature in 1990 to address this problem and has received state and national recognition for its innovative approach to bridging the health care gap for previously uninsured children.
Healthy Kids, which insures more than 165,000 children statewide, has been lauded as a national model receiving the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award in 1996 from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Parents who want to apply for Healthy Kids coverage can call toll-free 1-888-FLA-KIDS (1-888-352-5437). Applications are being accepted now.
Healthy Kids Press Contact,
Ashley Carr, Chief Marketing Officer,
(850) 701-6160, [email protected].
