A new law in Florida allows financial planners in the state to discuss insurance coverage with their clients without having to be affiliated with a provider — a move that will help feeonly planners maintain their compensation definition. On July 1, the state created a new kind of insurance license that applies
Gov. Rick Scott and politicians from the Tampa Bay area to the Washington beltway rang the warning bell last year. So did real estate agents struggling to sell homes in flood-prone areas of Florida. Soaring flood insurance rates, they warned, threatened to wreak havoc on property values throughout the state.
TALLAHASSEE — State geologists are well on their way to creating a statewide map showing where sinkholes are most likely to form. Last year, Florida got more than $1 million in federal funding for a three-year study. A pilot in Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee counties ended in May. Professionals with the
The Florida homeowners insurance market is the strongest it has been in 10 years. Florida companies, which make up a majority of this market, have built $4.5 billion in surplus, $16 billion in reinsurance capacity and renewed profitability that has created new competition in the market. As a result, Florida
In politics, optics matter. Gov. Rick Scott, who will spend the next few months fending off familiar criticism of the health care fraud at his former hospital company, had a chance to put more money into fighting health care fraud in Florida. But to the disappointment of a key Republican
Consumer advocates are pushing for the release of rate filings by the state’s health insurers, saying Floridians shouldn’t be kept in the dark on premium prices for next year. All but two of the dozen health insurers that want to sell plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace failed to
Nearly one out of five Floridians still don’t have health insurance, despite people being able to sign up this year for coverage under the Affordable Care Act, according to a new study released Wednesday. However, Obamacare reduced the state’s uninsured rate by 5 percentage points in one year as those lacking
The bold slogan splashed across Adrian Wyllie’s campaign materials urges Floridians to “Take a Stand!” It’s a motto the state’s Libertarian candidate for governor takes seriously. Driving through Bradenton recently in a black Chrysler 300 bearing Libertarian bumper stickers, Wyllie was prepared to be arrested at any moment. The 44-year-old
In the Florida Attorney General race, Democrats still must choose between George Sheldon and Perry Thurston in the Aug. 26 primary. But nevermind that contest. For now at least, both candidates are focusing on the opponent who awaits — Attorney General Pam Bondi. On Tuesday, Thurston, who is the outgoing Minority Leader in the Florida
MIAMI — A federal judge refused Tuesday to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges Florida provides inadequate care to children in its Medicaid program, despite state claims that privatizing the program will resolve many of the problems. The state argued that a massive statewide overhaul to privatize Medicaid will raise reimbursement rates, improve doctor