Orlando Florida Health Insurance Update

December 10, 2007

Orlando Florida Health Insurance

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation ordered a couple of unlicensed health insurers and a couple of business organizations to cease selling health insurance in Florida. The state agency said Affinity Health Plans, National Alliance Healthcare, the National Trade Business Alliance Association and the National Alliance of Associations also must pay all outstanding claims and refund all money collected from Florida consumers within 10 days. "This kind of unethical business practice will not be tolerated, so I am stopping it," Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said. The agency said Affinity and NAH have been soliciting Florida consumers through fax advertisements to purchase health insurance, dental insurance, hospitalization coverage, accident insurance, and vision, hearing and chiropractic insurance. It said that since July 2006, about 800 Florida consumers have purchased insurance through either Affinity or NAH. The companies' actions have generated numerous consumer complaints and have led to more than $100,000 in unpaid claims. Consumers with questions or concerns should call the Department of Financial Services' Consumer Helpline at 1-877-693-5236 or visit myfloridacfo.com.AirTran eyes international marketsAirTran Airways is getting ready to move into some international markets. At an airline-industry conference hosted this week by Calyon Securities, AirTran President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Fornaro said the carrier plans to add international routes in 2009. "In 2009, we're going to do a few more Caribbean routes," Fornaro said Tuesday at the conference, which would follow up on AirTran's recent announcement that it will begin service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AirTran used to fly to the Bahamas but canceled the service earlier this year.) What's more, Fornaro added, "Probably in 2009, we're going to be looking at Canada, as well."