BRIEF: Crist Spreads Word About Health Plan Mike Salinero Tampa Tribune, Fla. McClatchy-Tribune Regional News

Mar. 6--TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday that more people need to take advantage of the Cover Florida health care access plan that provides low-cost coverage for Floridians who don't have insurance.

Crist said the Legislature did not appropriate advertising dollars when it passed legislation authorizing the program last spring. Crist said he and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp will travel across the state in coming weeks to promote the plan.

The state negotiated with six private insurance companies to offer limited coverage for an average of $155 a month to residents who have been without insurance for at least six months or who recently lost their job.

Coverage for preventive care cost just $25 a month.

Crist said he won't have firm numbers until later this month on how many Floridians have taken advantage of the health care plan, but the numbers so far have not been overwhelming.

For details, go to www.CoverFloridaHealthCare .com.

Companies offering the low-cost plans in this area are Blue Cross Blue Shield, toll-free 1-877-872-6580, or United Healthcare, toll-free 1-800-809-9831.
Copyright (c) 2009, Tampa Tribune, Fla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. Mar. 6--TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday that more people need to take advantage of the Cover Florida health care access plan that provides low-cost coverage for Floridians who don't have insurance.