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?

_____________________________________________________________________

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 federal Ryan White Part A and Part B funds. The ISP does not provide health insurance policies to clients. It merely allows HIV/AIDS clients to maintain with their current health insurance coverage.

Back To Top


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 400% 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 (includes COBRA, group family or individual policies).
8. Willing to sign all forms and provide eligibility information.

Back To Top


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.

Back To Top


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.

Back To Top


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.

Back To Top


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 if this applies to you.

Back To Top


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).

Back To Top


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.

Back To Top


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.

Back To Top


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.

11. How do I apply for the Insurance Services Program?
The Insurance Services Program 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: