SunStar patrons can enroll

The failed HMO's customers have until March 1 to choose new coverage.

By ALISA ULFERTS

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2000

Open enrollment begins today for more than 25,000 Tampa Bay residents who were forced to find new insurance after a judge ordered the liquidation of SunStar Health Plan earlier this month.

SunStar members with active contracts have until March 1 to enroll in any of the state-approved HMOs in their county. State-approved HMOs must accept SunStar members as long as they enroll before the deadline, though the health plans are not required to charge the same premiums as SunStar, said Sharon Binnun, a spokeswoman for the law firm that is administering the open enrollment for the state.

"The HMOs are basically instructed to pick people up," Binnun said.

"They get coverage for a year, and then they can renew after that."

Only in special cases will the state guarantee coverage for people who enroll after March 1. Those who miss the deadline risk losing all coverage, Binnun said.

"It has to be extenuating circumstances. It can't be, "I know my rate at SunStar was cheaper, so I stayed with it for an extra couple of months.' "

Second Circuit Judge Terry P. Lewis ordered SunStar liquidated Feb. 1, after the state Department of Insurance said the health plan was more than $12-million short of what state law requires it to have in reserves to pay claims.

Officials at SunStar, which is not affiliated with the ambulance service of the same name, have said Lewis' order will hurt consumers, who likely will end up paying higher premiums. The HMO specialized in offering low-cost individual and small-business plans.

To get a list of the state-approved health plans, call the state Department of Insurance's consumer hotline at (800) 342-2762, or visit the department's Web site at www.doi.state.fl.us.

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