Consumer Tips for Buying Florida Health Insurance
Consumer Tips
- Take your application for coverage seriously, and answer the health questions thoroughly - an insurance company may refuse to pay your claim or cancel your policy due to an incorrect or incomplete application.
- Watch out for "telemarketing fraud," or high-pressure schemes in which a telephone caller may try to sell you unnecessary or unwanted insurance. Such a caller may use deceptive tactics, such as asking you to pay premiums in cash for a "last chance" offer. Ask for written policy information and thoroughly research the insurance agent and company credentials. If you suspect this type of crime has occurred, you may call our Fraud Hotline toll-free at 1-800-378-0445, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352). For a nominal fee, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services can add you to a list that telemarketers are forbidden to call. You can also register with the National Do Not Call Registry by visiting www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
- Contact your policy administrator if you want to convert from group to individual coverage because of divorce, age restrictions, etc.
- Your company must notify you in writing at least 45 days before canceling or not renewing your contract, or changing your premiums. HMOs must provide notice in 30 days. You may contact the Consumer Helpline toll-free at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236) if you don't receive such notification.
- You are entitled to a "free look" period of 10 days when you purchase an individual health insurance policy. You should return the policy by registered or certified mail within the allowed time if you decide not to keep it.
- You are entitled to a "grace period," which is a specified time frame when you can submit an overdue payment and still maintain coverage under your policy.
- Ask your agent if the coverage involves an out-of-state policy; if so, you should make sure it contains all the coverage you need before you buy it. Read everything carefully. If your document says it is a "certificate," you may have an out-of-state policy.
- Before buying additional policies, it pays to understand how your current coverage will work with another policy. Do not overinsure -- you cannot collect on the same claim twice.
- Maintain continuous coverage by not canceling your old policy until you are certain that your new company has accepted your application. Some companies do not begin coverage until they approve your application and notify you.
- Pay your premiums, even if a dispute arises with your company. Otherwise, it may cancel your policy for nonpayment of premiums.
Resources:
- » How Medicare Deals with and Prevents Fraud for its Beneficiaries
- » Medicare Appeals, Accountability and Errors
- » Getting Medicare Help and Counceling
- » Medicare Health Insurance Chapter Summary
- » Medigap and Secondary Health Insurance Policies
Articles:
- » Description of Basic Medigap Supplemental Insurance Plans
- » Information on Specific Medigap Supplemental Insurance Plans
- » Where One is Eligable or Ineligible for Specific Medigap Programs
Florida Health Guide Pages:
- » Florida Health Insurance: A Guide for Consumers
- » Information on Florida Health Insurance, & Health Insurance Plans
- » Types of Managed Florida Health Insurance Care Plans
- » Types of Traditional Florida Health Insurance Care Coverage
- » Types of Major Florida Medical & Health Insurance Coverage
- » Self-Employed Florida Health Insurance Plans
- » Other Health-Related Policies Used With Florida Health Insurance
- » Other Types of Supplemental Florida Health Insurance Plans
- » Continuation of Florida Health Insurance Coverage
- » Portability Regarding Florida Health Insurance
- » More Information on Florida Health Insurance Coverage Continuation
- » Comparing Florida Health Insurance & Health Care Options
- » Questions and Answers about Florida Health Insurance Premiums
- » Renewable Conditions & Premium Increases for Florida Health Insurance Policies
- » Consumer Tips for Buying Florida Health Insurance
- » Florida Health Insurance Coverage for Alternative Therapies, Claims & Choosing a Insurance Company
- » Selecting a Florida Health Insurance Agent, Medical Information Bureau
- » Your Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Florida Health Insurance
- » Dealing with Fraud and Discrimination Regarding Florida Health Insurance
- » Florida Health Insurance Glossary of Terms
- » Levels of Nursing Care Covered by Florida Health Insurance
Links:

