JACKSONVILLE, Fla.?As one of Governor Crist's chosen health care insurers selected to participate in the Cover Florida plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) today launched its low-cost insurance plans available to uninsured Floridians. These plans are available to adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who have been without coverage for at least six months.



BCBSF is offering two valuable Cover Florida products; a non-catastrophic and catastrophic plan, both with a broad range of coverage for members. The non-catastrophic plan provides coverage for basic and preventive care, including physician office visits, dental care, and lab work. The catastrophic plan offers the same services with the addition of hospital coverage. Average costs for the plans are approximately $50 and $150 per month respectively, and vary by region.

?The need for affordable health coverage in our state is critical, and we appreciate the opportunity to offer the uninsured a real solution,? said John Kaegi, group vice president of Marketing. ?Our company's mission is to help meet the health care needs of all Floridians, and the Cover Florida plans complement our existing suite of low-cost products, including the recently launched GoBlue and FamilyBlue options.?

Six insurance providers will make affordable health coverage and access to care available to the 3.8 million uninsured Floridians. BCBSF and United Healthcare were selected to provide statewide options, and four South Florida-based insurance companies were selected to offer additional regional coverage; Florida Health Care Plans, a subsidiary of BCBSF, will be available in Flagler and Volusia counties; Medical Health Plan of Florida and Total Health Choice will be available in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. In addition, JMH Health Plan will also serve Miami-Dade County.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is a leader in Florida's health industry. BCBSF and its subsidiaries serve more than 8.8 million people. Since 1944, the company has been dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all those it serves by offering an array of choices. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.,BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.