Florida | Winter | 2009 | Health Plan Analysis
The struggling economy in Florida, burdened by the bust of the real estate and construction boom, resulted in enrollment losses in 2008 and is all but sure to continue into 2009. Insurers are reacting with new products geared to the individual markets and with narrow-network products. The Cover Florida program launched Jan. 5 and is an attempt to put more residents into insurance rolls. Six carriers are offering plans with a variety of limited-benefit options, including prescription drug benefits. The economy is affecting the Medicaid program – which like Medicaid programs everywhere – will benefit from the new federal stimulus bill and is expecting an influx of more than 300,000 new beneficiaries in 2009. The managed care winners are companies such as WellCare Health Plans and UnitedHealthcare. Florida Medicare Advantage plans, like their Medicaid counterparts, are expecting an enrollment boost in 2009 as the MA market continues to grow and the stand-alone Part D program stays flat or declines.
