FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

CONTACT: Kristopher Purcell, (850) 921-5266

TALLAHASSEE – The First District Court of Appeal lifted the legal stay, which had halted the execution of some of the State of Florida’s health maintenance organization (HMO) contracts. Following the decision, UnitedHealthcare signed an HMO services contract for 18 counties.

The HMO awards and settlements for the 2012 plan year now will go forward with all six HMO companies: Aetna, AvMed, Capital Health Plan, Coventry, Florida Health Care Plans and UnitedHealthcare. The State also provides the option of a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

UnitedHealthcare will be the sole HMO carrier in the following counties: Bay, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Lee, Monroe, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Putnam, Sarasota, Taylor, Walton and Washington.

“We are pleased that eligible state employees and retirees in all 67 Florida counties will have the option of both HMO and PPO plans to choose from during Open Enrollment,” said Department of Management Services (DMS) Secretary John P. Miles. “The procurement process and awards made by DMS were sound and appropriate and achieve significant value for the State.”

Open Enrollment begins November 7 and runs through November 18.

Benefit Fairs organized by the DMS Division of State Group Insurance begin next week across the State, providing members with the opportunity to speak with health insurance plan representatives and better evaluate their options.

Please find attached the most recent breakdown of HMO carriers by county.

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HMO Service Areas by County
Benefit Fair Locations