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State Insurance Available for Self-employed' Self-employed Floridians in need of health insurance can get it during an open enrollment period this month, the state said. The open enrollment period requires insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to offer applications for coverage to self-employed people on a guaranteed-issue basis Aug. 1-31 each year, with a plan start date of Oct. 1. The open enrollment period is also when self-employed people covered by a small business plan may switch to another company's plan. "The opportunity comes only once a year for the self-employed seeking guaranteed-issue health coverage," said Florida's Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher. "It's a good time to review current coverage and to consider new additional options, such as tax-advantaged health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangements." Guaranteed-issue means insurers and HMOs must offer coverage without regard to health status. While small businesses with only one employee, often referred to as "one-life groups," cannot be refused coverage during the open enrollment period, companies that write coverage for these groups are required to offer only "basic" and "standard" plans. Redesigned last year by a small employer benefit committee, the plans feature adjustments to benefits the state said are intended to reduce premium costs. The adjustments, the state said, include raising co-payments for emergency room admissions, physician office visits and prescription drugs, as well as allowing higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. However, the state said all basic plans are now required to provide prescription drug coverage and raise lifetime maximums for basic insurance from $500,000 to $2 million. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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