Healthy Kids Press Contact,
Ashley Carr, Chief Marketing Officer,
(850) 701-6160, [email protected].
More Florida children have health insurance today than ever before
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation is celebrating 25 years of expanding access to comprehensive health insurance for Florida’s children. An estimated 3.8 million children statewide now have health insurance – more than ever before.
“This year marks the Silver Anniversary of the first children enrolled in the Florida Healthy Kids program – one of many remarkable milestones in our continually evolving legacy,” said Corporation Board Chair Wendy Link. “With each child insured, we are taking another step toward making the next generation healthier and our communities stronger.”
The Corporation was created by the Florida Legislature in 1990 as a nonprofit, public-private partnership. The Florida Healthy Kids program was launched in 1992 and by 1998 was expanded to all 67 counties. Florida’s approach has been recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a model for other states, received the Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard University, and is credited with sparking the creation of the national Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 1997. The Corporation has continued to innovate over the years, introducing the first online CHIP application in the nation in 2006 and more recently leveraging new data to measure and maximize results.
“Our vision to make comprehensive, quality healthcare services accessible for all Florida children is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago,” said Corporation CEO Rebecca Matthews. “While we have made tremendous progress, 283,000 children in Florida remain uninsured. Forward-focused on closing the gap, we are preparing to launch a new promotional campaign this fall to further identify, educate and enroll eligible families.”
Florida Healthy Kids offers child-centered health and dental insurance for children from 5 through the end of age 18. Benefits include doctor visits, check-ups, immunizations, prescriptions, emergency care, surgeries, and more. Most families pay just $15 or $20 per month. A full-pay option is available for children who do not meet the family income requirements for subsidized coverage.
Florida Healthy Kids is one of four government-sponsored health insurance programs integrated under the Florida KidCare brand, which together provide a seamless continuum of coverage for Florida children from birth through age 18. The other Florida KidCare programs include Medicaid, MediKids, and the Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan. Florida KidCare currently insures more than 2.5 million children statewide or 63 percent of all insured children. Florida KidCare is also the foundation for pediatric healthcare in the state, covering nearly two out of every three children. Enrollment is open year-round.
The Corporation collaborates with state and federal lawmakers to advance children’s health insurance policy and more than 250 community-based partners across Florida to engage eligible families. The collective efforts are having a measureable impact. According to the most current national data, between 2013 and 2015, the number of insured children in Florida increased by more than 235,000 children or 6.5 percent. During the same period, the percentage of uninsured Florida children dropped from 11.1 percent to 6.9 percent – the second largest percentage reduction in the nation.
STATISTICAL REFERENCE: United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2015
###About Florida Healthy Kids Corporation
The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation is a nonprofit, public-private partnership created by the Florida Legislature to expand access to comprehensive, affordable child-centered health insurance. The Corporation administers Florida Healthy Kids (healthykids.org), a health and dental insurance program for Florida children from 5 through the end of age 18. The Corporation also coordinates marketing, customer services and other administrative services for Florida KidCare.This year, the Corporation is celebrating 25 years of insuring Florida’s children.
About Florida KidCare
Florida KidCare is the umbrella brand for the four government-sponsored health insurance programs – Medicaid, Florida Healthy Kids, MediKids, and the Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan – that together provide a seamless continuum of coverage for Florida children from birth through the end of age 18. Benefits include doctor visits, check-ups, immunizations, prescriptions, emergency care, surgeries, dental care, and more. Most families pay nothing or as little as $15 or $20 per month. Full-pay options are available for those who do not meet the family income requirements for subsidized coverage. Enrollment is open year-round at www.floridakidcare.org.
