The Florida Senate

¹627.6486  Eligibility.--

(1)  Except as provided in subsection (2), any resident of this state shall be eligible for coverage under the plan, including:

(a)  The insured's spouse.

(b)  Any dependent unmarried child of the insured, from the moment of birth. Subject to the provisions of s. 627.6041, such coverage shall terminate at the end of the premium period in which the child marries, ceases to be a dependent of the insured, or attains the age of 19, whichever occurs first. However, if the child is a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning, the coverage may continue while the child remains unmarried and a full-time student, but not beyond the premium period in which the child reaches age 23.

(c)  The former spouse of the insured whose coverage would otherwise terminate because of annulment or dissolution of marriage, if the former spouse is dependent upon the insured for financial support. The former spouse shall have continued coverage and shall not be subject to waiting periods because of the change in policyholder status.

(2)(a)  The board or administrator shall require verification of residency and shall require any additional information or documentation, or statements under oath, when necessary to determine residency upon initial application and for the entire term of the policy.

(b)  No person who is currently eligible for health care benefits under Florida's Medicaid program is eligible for coverage under the plan unless:

1.  He or she has an illness or disease which requires supplies or medication which are covered by the association but are not included in the benefits provided under Florida's Medicaid program in any form or manner; and

2.  He or she is not receiving health care benefits or coverage under Florida's Medicaid program.

(c)  No person who is covered under the plan and terminates the coverage is again eligible for coverage.

(d)  No person on whose behalf the plan has paid out $500,000 in covered benefits is eligible for coverage under the plan.

(e)  The coverage of any person who ceases to meet the eligibility requirements of this section may be terminated immediately. If such person again becomes eligible for subsequent coverage under the plan, any previous claims payments shall be applied towards the $500,000 lifetime maximum benefit and any limitation relating to preexisting conditions in effect at the time such person again becomes eligible shall apply to such person. However, no such person may again become eligible for coverage after June 30, 1991.

(f)  No person is eligible for coverage under the plan unless such person has been rejected by two insurers for coverage substantially similar to the plan coverage and no insurer has been found through the market assistance plan pursuant to s. 627.6484 that is willing to accept the application. As used in this paragraph, "rejection" includes an offer of coverage with a material underwriting restriction or an offer of coverage at a rate greater than the association plan rate.

(g)  No person is eligible for coverage under the plan if such person has, on the date of issue of coverage under the plan, substantially similar coverage under another contract or policy, unless such coverage is provided pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Pub. L. No. 99-272, 100 Stat. 82 (1986) (COBRA), as amended, and scheduled to end at a time certain and the person meets all other requirements of eligibility. Coverage provided by the association shall be secondary to any coverage provided by an insurer pursuant to COBRA.

(h)  All eligible persons who are classified as high-risk individuals pursuant to s. 627.6498(4)(a)4. shall, upon application or renewal, agree to be placed in a case management system when it is determined by the board and the plan case manager that such system will be cost-effective and provide quality care to the individual.

History.--ss. 496(2nd), 809(2nd), ch. 82-243; s. 79, ch. 82-386; s. 3, ch. 83-28; s. 104, ch. 83-216; s. 20, ch. 89-167; ss. 4, 13, 14, ch. 90-334; s. 3, ch. 91-304; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 25, ch. 95-211; s. 346, ch. 97-102.

¹Note.--

A.  Section 12, ch. 90-334, provides that "[i]f an [assessment] against any insurer or insurers under the Florida Comprehensive Health Association Act is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful or prohibited, it is the intent of the Legislature that all provisions in ss. 627.648-627.6498 relating to assessments for funding the deficit of the association that were in effect on January 1, 1990 be reenacted and reinstated."

B.  As amended by s. 3, ch. 91-304. Section 10(2) and (3), ch. 91-304, provides that:

"(2)  In the event that the application of the assessment to minimum premium plans, stop-loss plans or any other specific type of insurer or health insurance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, then the assessment method specified in this act shall continue to apply to all other insurers.

"(3)  The provisions of section 12 of chapter 90-335 [The reference is apparently in error. Section 12, ch. 90-335, concerns public printing; ch. 90-334 is relevant], Laws of Florida, shall continue in full force and effect, but the provisions of this section shall control to the extent of any conflict."