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1. What is ISP?
2. Who is eligible?
3. Who is responsible for the Insurance Services Program?
4. What does the ISP cover?
5. Will the ISP cover my dependent's health insurance?
6. What should I do once my COBRA coverage runs out?
7. Is it true that if I use my Health Insurance too much I will get my  coverage dropped?
8. What will happen if funding for the program is cut?
9. My insurance premium is $600 per month; will the ISP cover this?
10. I pay for my insurance through payroll deduction and my employer will not accept a third party check. How should this be handled?
11. How do I apply for the Insurance Services Program?
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1. What is ISP?
The Insurance Services Program (ISP) is a publicly funded program that pays health insurance services, mainly prescription drug co-payments and some premiums for clients who are eligible. The program is funded by the State of Florida general revenue funds and Ryan White Title I and II funds. The ISP does not provide health insurance policies to clients it merely allows them continue with their current health insurance.
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2. Who is eligible?
Anyone who meets all of the following requirements:
1. Florida resident
2. Diagnosis of AIDS or HIV+ with symptoms.
3. Monthly income less than or equal to 300% of Federal poverty guidelines.
4. Cash assets less than or equal to $4,500 (for one person).
5. Note: this does not include assets such as a house, car, retirement accounts, etc.
6. Currently covered by private health insurance.
7. (Includes COBRA, group family or individual policies).
8. Willing to sign all forms and provide eligibility information.
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3. Who is responsible for the Insurance Services Program?
The ISP is a local program run by The Health Councils, Inc. It covers an 8-county area including Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk Counties. The Health Council has formed an enrollment site network with several community based AIDS service organizations. Although many of our clients are on COBRA, the program does not have any formal ties to the COBRA program.
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4. What does the ISP cover?
The ISP provides for the payment of health insurance services, the majority of which covers prescription drug co-payments. Enrolled clients are entitled to a maximum of $175 worth of co-payments each month. The program will also pay for all forms of private health insurance, including any dental, and vision insurance policies that you may have.
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5. Will the ISP cover my dependent's health insurance?
The ISP can now pay for dependent's (family) health insurance premiums if you can demonstrate that the entire family is in jeopardy of losing coverage without ISP assistance.
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6. What should I do once my COBRA coverage runs out?
The ISP strongly encourages clients to try to convert their coverage into an individual policy after their COBRA expires (18 or 29 months). Recent legislation should make it somewhat less restrictive to obtain individual health insurance coverage. Please note, many insurance companies charge a one-time conversion fee, the ISP can assist clients with this fee. Please contact your case manager or the Health Council if this applies to you.
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7. Is it true that if I use my Health Insurance too much I will get my coverage dropped?
Absolutely not. It is legally impossible for an insurance company to drop you for use of an insurance policy. The ISP strongly encourages all clients to use their health insurance to obtain care. The ISP currently has many clients who obtain tens of thousands of dollars in healthcare related services through the program each year. It is vital to your health that you at a minimum have regular preventative check-ups with your physician. If you have received such threats from your insurance company, we urge you to contact the State of Florida Department of Insurance (1-800-342-2762).
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8. What will happen if funding for the program is cut?
Currently, this does not appear to be an issue. The ISP is funded by federal funds that flow to the State of Florida through the Ryan White Care Act.
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9. My insurance premium is $600 per month;
will the ISP cover this?
The ISP pays for health insurance premiums up to $400 per month.
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10. I pay for my insurance through payroll deduction and my employer will not accept a third party check. How should this be handled?
By law, the program is not allowed to reimburse individuals for their premium expense.
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11. How do I apply for the Insurance Services Program?
The INSURANCE SERVICES PROGRAM (ISP) is implemented through Community Based Organizations (CBOs) throughout the 8-county area. Each CBO is responsible for the collection of information required for participation. CBOs play an active role in providing their community's AIDS/HIV+ population with an assortment of services including case management, intake, and social and financial counseling. With these resources in hand, each agency is equipped to assess eligibility for the INSURANCE SERVICES PROGRAM. The Health Councils, Inc. will enroll individuals on a first come first served basis based on requests from Ryan White case managers. To enroll in ISP, contact one of the following CBOs:
Highlands County
Highlands County Health Dept.
7205 S. George Blvd.
Sebring, FL 33875
Hillsborough County
Metropolitan Charities
6421 N. Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604
TBAN North
7402 N. 56th Street
Suite 101, Bldg. 100
Tampa, FL 33619
THAP
1500 East Humphrey Street
Tampa, FL 33604
Manatee County
Manatee County Rural Health Svc.
2703 19th Street Ct. E.
Suite 2
Bradenton, FL 34208
Pasco County
Gulf Coast Community Care
5744 Missouri Avenue
New Port Richey, FL 33652
Pasco County Health Department
10841 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654
The Harbor
PO Box 428
New Port Richey, FL
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Pinellas County
ACP/EMPACT
3050 1st Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Gulf Coast Community Care
14041 Icot Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33760
Di's Imani, Inc.
3530 1st Avenue North
Suite 208
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Metropolitan Charities
3170 3rd Avenue N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Polk County
Polk County Health Dept.
1255 Brice Blvd.
Bartow, FL 33830
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