Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. (BCBSF) has joined forces with Miami-Dade County to offer a new, low-cost health care plan to those who live and work in the region. Available beginning July 1, 2009, the new insurance product, called Miami-Dade Blue, is a locally-focused PPO plan which is open to individuals and the small group market. According to officials from BCBSF, Miami-Dade Blue is designed specifically to meet the needs of uninsured individuals and families, as well as small businesses, challenged even more by the economy.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who helped lead the effort to bring a new low cost product to the County, emphasized the importance of Miami-Dade Blue to struggling families and companies. “In this difficult economic climate, when people are losing their health insurance, Miami-Dade Blue is essential for uninsured residents – and it will improve the quality of life for many in the County,” said Commissioner Martinez.

County Commissioners selected Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida to develop and offer the Miami-Dade product after a thorough process that examined many possible providers, according to Commissioner Martinez. BCBSF was selected in part because of its record of creating affordable, targeted products, including GoBlue, BlueSelect, Cover Florida, and the FamilyBlue Discount Card.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said that the Miami-Dade Blue plan represents a good example of what public-private partnerships can do to address critical social issues. “Miami-Dade Blue is cost effective and comprehensive health coverage designed with working people and small businesses in mind. It took a public-private partnership to pull this off, and Blue Cross Blue Shield and Miami-Dade County’s Office of Countywide Healthcare Planning worked hard to make it happen,” said Mayor Alvarez.

The Miami-Dade Blue plan offers enrollees access to more than 1,500 physicians and seven hospitals throughout Miami-Dade. Participating hospitals include Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson South, Jackson North, Palmetto General Hospital, Hialeah Hospital, Coral Gables Hospital, and Baptist Homestead. While the plan’s network is located only in Miami-Dade County, enrollment is open to individuals outside of the area, and BCBSF officials note that the plan should appeal to those who work in Miami but live in Broward, Palm Beach or elsewhere.

“More than 3.7 million residents across Florida have no medical coverage, and in Miami-Dade County alone over 600,000 lack insurance,” noted Penny Shaffer, BCBSF market president for South Florida. “With so many uninsured, all parts of the medical system, including hospitals, are feeling the effect. Our view is that it will take innovative products like Miami-Dade Blue to stem the tide so that more of the patients arriving in the ER or the physician’s office have medical coverage. By developing targeted networks, engaging in public-private partnerships, and giving consumers multiple options, we can go a long way toward making universal access to insurance a reality.”

The Miami-Dade Blue plan for individuals is medically underwritten and based on age and gender. The plan is open to individuals under age 65, and costs range from $70 to $300 per month. Small group plans are guaranteed issue. For individuals and groups, plans provide a comprehensive range of services including office visits, surgery, hospitalization, outpatient surgery, pharmacy and dental coverage. Miami-Dade Blue is available with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

According to Shaffer, Miami-Dade Blue premiums are comparable to the company’s GoBlue plan with hospital-surgical features added on, but with even more benefits. “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has assembled a comprehensive arsenal of low cost insurance offerings, and while no one product is right for everyone, the portfolio is filling a critical void and bringing insurance within reach for many,” said Shaffer. “Miami-Dade Blue is specifically designed for individuals who need sound benefits and access to quality care, but don’t qualify for a group plan. It’s also made for small companies that want to offer insurance options to their employees, but simply can’t afford many of the options out there today. Think of all of the people in Miami who are working multiple part time jobs, and therefore are not eligible for employer-sponsored insurance. Think of the businesses with a handful of employees, and they are working hard to survive in today’s economy. With low co-payments and low deductibles, but clearly defined benefits, a 35 year-old male could qualify for Miami-Dade Blue for about $120 a month. This product will be a unique and reliable option for many in the County.”