Fort Myers area chosen for children’s health insurance
An unprecedented initiative to reach families impacted by a job loss in the Southwest Florida area was recently launched. The aggressive media and outreach campaign is informing families that despite the economic downturn, their kids can have free to low-cost health insurance through Florida KidCare.
Since late April, the “No Matter What” ad campaign has been heavily promoting Florida KidCare on Fort Myers radio and television stations, as well as on billboards along major roadways. In addition, several community-based organizations have hosted booths at large job fairs and events to distribute Florida KidCare applications and materials to parents.
Florida KidCare is the state and federally-subsidized health insurance program for children under the age of 19. Children enrolled in Florida KidCare receive preventive care such as regular doctor visits, immunizations, dental check-ups and prescriptions. Many families pay $20 or less per month; most pay nothing at all. Families who don’t qualify for the subsidy can also enroll in the program for a monthly premium up to $159 per child.
“We launched this campaign in Fort Myers after recent reports showed a high unemployment rate in the area, meaning families that had health insurance may now be going without it,” said Rich Robleto, executive director, Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. “We haven’t had a paid media campaign in several years. But with the economy the way it is, we wanted to take aggressive action to reach the newly unemployed who may not think their kids are eligible for Florida KidCare.”
The “No Matter What” campaign is a pilot project that could be replicated in other parts of the state also experiencing heavy job losses. The Agency for Workforce Innovation and the state’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards, which oversee the One-Stop Career Centers, have joined the effort and are helping promote Florida KidCare to the newly unemployed and job seekers.
The program is open year-round for all Florida families. Earlier this month, the Florida Legislature approved changes to help streamline the Florida KidCare enrollment and renewal process. Soon, families who’ve dropped their private insurance because they couldn’t afford it won’t have to wait as long to apply for Florida KidCare and families that were dropped from the program for non-payment, can quickly re-enter the system. Electronic verification of family income will also help speed up the enrollment process.
More than 1.6 million children are currently enrolled in Florida KidCare, which is composed of four programs Healthy Kids, Children’s Medical Services Network, MediKids and Children’s Medicaid. Children enrolled in the program receive regular doctor’s visits, dental check-ups, and immunizations.
Florida families with uninsured children are encouraged to apply for Florida KidCare online at www.FloridaKidCare.org or by calling 1-888-540-KIDS to receive a paper application.