Vita Health Coverage: Effective Public Policy for Providing Flexible Coverage Options for Low Income Populations

PROBLEM: The high cost of health insurance premiums has increased the number of uninsured residents in Florida. Studies show that low-income families simply do not have enough disposable income to afford health insurance premiums. To address this problem, the State of Florida created the Health Flex Program under Florida Statute 408.909 to expand the availability of health coverage options for low-income uninsured state residents emphasizing coverage for basic and preventive health care services, health promotion and disease prevention. In June 2006, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County started a Health Flex plan known as Vita Health to provide a health coverage option for the low-income uninsured residents. The Vita Health Plan is a basic benefit plan that includes inpatient hospital, physician, diagnostic, and pharmacy benefits. This study evaluates whether the public policy surrounding the state and local government's efforts has resulted in an effective program.

METHODS: Utilization data collected from the Vita Health claims history is analyzed to determine how effective the plan has been in realizing the public policy goal of delivering basic and preventive health care services, health promotion and disease prevention.

RESULTS: The Vita Health Plan utilization demonstrated that the majority of services provided were for primary care, preventive services like mammograms, and chronic disease maintenance for hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

CONCLUSIONS: The Health Flex Program established by the State of Florida and implemented by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County has proven to be an effective public policy.