Florida Health Insurance

How healthy is living in Florida?

Florida fell four spots in the ranking of the healthiest states, from 41st in 2007 to 45th last year, according to a study by the United Health Foundation.

The good news:

• The state's two best rankings were for a relatively low prevalence of obesity and for immunization coverage of children ages 19 to 35 months.
• In the past year, the prevalence of smoking decreased slightly from 21 percent to 19.3 percent of the population.
• Since 1990, the state saw a marked decrease in both the infant mortality rate (from 10.8 to 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births) and the violent crime rate (from 1,204 to 723 offenses per 100,000 population).

The bad news:

• Only two states had a worse rankings for incidences of infectious disease – and for the percentage of the population that lacks health insurance (20.7%).

The state's best and worst category rankings:

• Prevalence of obesity – 10th
• Immunization coverage – 10th
• High school graduation – 44th (64.6 percent of ninth graders eventually graduate)
• Violent crime – 46th
• Infectious disease – 48th
• Lack of health insurance – 48th
• Geographic disparity – 49th

See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Florida.

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Does Florida have a risk pool for the uninsurable?

Florida Comprehensive Health Association (closed to new enrollees since 1991)
(850) 309-1200

Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.

Mini-meds a guaranteed-issue option for those who are medically uninsurable

An option for the medically uninsurable is a guaranteed-issue mini-med health insurance plan. There is no underwriting and no health questions are asked.

These plans provide basic coverage but are not designed to help with catastrophic expenses. They can often count as creditable coverage, eliminating the waiting period for pre-existing conditions if you later move to an employer-based plan. Read more here.

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Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in Florida

Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in Florida and all other states.
• Its guide on how to find health insurance in Florida.
• Materiales En Español – Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.

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USNews health insurance rankings for Florida

US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Florida.

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Official State Goverment Sites with Florida Health Insurance Information

Florida Department of Health -- Official government Web site for department responsible for health care services for Floridans.

Health Insurance Guide for Consumers - by the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Florida Kid Care -- State program to help children under 19 get health insurance coverage through MediKids, Healthy Kids, Children's Medical Services or Medicaid for Children.

The Florida Department of Financial Services -- is the place for consumers to check out their insurance agent or company or to access the state consumer hotline (1-877-693-5236, is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m) or to file a complaint.

FloridaHealthFinder.gov -- a state-run site designed to connect consumers with health care information and services, including downloadable PDF guides to health and human services and more.

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Health Care Advocacy Groups in Florida

Florida CHAIN (Community Health Action Information Network) – a statewide network organization dedicated to improving the health of all Floridians by promoting sustainable access to affordable, effective health care.

Florida Consumer Action Network) – a grassroots organization which empowers citizens to influence public policy by organizing and educating in areas where consumer voices are underrepresented. FCAN is working with Health are for America NOW to create meaningful health care reform."