Safety Net Directory provides resources for Floridians in “coverage gap”

WellFlorida News Release

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 15)— WellFlorida Council has published the Safety Net Healthcare Providers Directory, a comprehensive listing of free and low-cost healthcare providers in North Central Florida.

The directory was created by WellFlorida to address the needs of its Health Insurance Marketplace Navigators. Navigators help consumers understand insurance options and enroll in coverage through the Marketplace (the insurance program created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).

Many of the low-income individuals and families who come to the Navigators for assistance fall into the “coverage gap.” This means they are exempt from purchasing Marketplace coverage due to their low income level, but are also not covered by Medicaid either due to Florida’s limited Medicaid program. The directory contains contact information for the healthcare providers who create a safety net for these North Central Floridians.

Some of the listed providers offer free services, like the Healthy Start program, which provides services for at-risk pregnant women, infants and small children. Others, like the Federally Qualified Health Centers, offer healthcare services using a sliding scale based on the patient’s income.

Each Navigator will have access to the directory, but consumers can also locate it online at www.NCFNavigators.org and www.WellFlorida.org

WellFlorida Council is the local health council and consulting group for health-related causes. WellFlorida manages the Navigator program in North Central Florida. For additional information about the program, visit www.NCFNavigators.org.