Healthy Kids Press Contact,
Ashley Carr, Chief Marketing Officer,
(850) 701-6160, [email protected].
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation (Corporation) Board of Directors (BOD), chaired by Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, today approved Hurricane Ian premium relief for Florida KidCare member families. This premium relief applies to all 26 Florida counties designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as eligible for individual assistance.
To help families following this storm, the Corporation has agreed to cover 100% of eligible family monthly premium payments for October. Monthly premium payment relief will also be made available for November and December coverage to those who contact us with a need. Members enrolled in both subsidized and full-pay plans are included.
Chair Haridopolos said, “We don’t want children losing critical health coverage while their families are putting back the pieces after a devastating storm like Hurricane Ian. The Corporation’s leadership team has worked alongside me for weeks, gathering information and running the numbers to find the right balance of relief. Today’s action offers immediate relief to all, regardless of their family situation, while extending additional financial savings to families needing an extra helping hand. I am proud of our collective effort to reach this place, and I thank CFO Jimmy Patronis for his support of our work to help Florida families during this trying time.”
Altogether, more than 65,000 children live in the 26 identified counties, representing more than 50% of the total Florida KidCare population (excluding Medicaid). The total amount to cover all October family premium contributions is an estimated $3.42M.
On top of premium relief, the Corporation is assisting impacted families in the following ways: 1) expedited enrollment for approved applicants; 2) giving members 30 extra days to complete annual renewals; 3) giving members the full month to pay premiums typically due by the first of the month; and 4) granting more time for appeals.
About the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation
The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation is a nonprofit, public-private partnership created by the Florida Legislature to expand access to affordable, child-centered health insurance. The Corporation administers Florida Healthy Kids (healthykids.org), a comprehensive health and dental insurance program for Florida children from age 5 through the end of age 18. The Corporation also provides marketing, customer services and administrative services for Florida KidCare.
