Members are taking advantage of the Bar's health insurance exchange.

More than 2,000 Florida Bar members have completed the initial registration process to participate in the Bar private health insurance exchange that was launched October 1.

The exchange is designed to assist individual members and employer groups in securing health insurance coverage, as part of the Bar's Member Benefits package.

Member Benefits, Inc., the administrator of The Florida Bar Member Insurance Programs, has introduced key enhancements to its existing health insurance program. Decision support tools and live customer support are available to help Florida lawyers determine their best course of action.

Of the 2,057 lawyers who have completed the registration process, 1,546 have created exchange accounts. The number differs from registrations, due to some registrations being employers that have yet to create accounts. Other registrants that are subsidy eligible are working with benefits counselors to shop for subsidized coverage on the public exchange rather than access the private exchange, according to a report from Member Benefits, Inc.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to assist the subsidy-eligible members like we planned due to the technical issues that the federal exchange website has had. However, we have invited them to shop for unsubsidized plans on the private exchange and will be able to assist them on the public exchange when it's functioning correctly," the report said.

So far, there have been 85 medical enrollments.

"Enrollment to accounts ratio may seem low, but this is expected, as it's still early in the open enrollment period," according to the report. "Members are primarily still shopping (i.e., browsing) at this point."

The earliest exchange coverage can be effective is January 1, with the deadline to apply being December 15.

"There is also the majority of the membership that is either currently insured by their employer plan or through an individual plan that is being continued into 2014 before being canceled due to ACA," the report said.

Member...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT