Health insurance in Florida is regulated at the state level. While insurance companies have many rules that they must follow when offering health insurance, employers also have responsibilities to their employees when offering group health insurance. If you are enrolling in your employer's group plan, it's a good idea to understand what your employer is and is not responsible for.
Non-Discrimination
Your employer is not allowed to discriminate against you when applying for group health insurance benefits. This means that when you enroll in the plan, the employer cannot single you out to deny you coverage based on your health, genetic information or disability. However, the employer can refuse or restrict coverage based on the hours you work. These rules must not be based on health and must be applied consistently to all employees.
Employer Contribution
Your employer must pay at least 50 percent of your health insurance premium if it is offering you a group health insurance plan. You will be responsible for the balance of the premiums due. However, the employer does not have to contribute toward your spouse's or child's premium.
Leaving the Plan
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, your employer must continue to offer you its group health insurance plan. This act only applies when the employer employs at least 50 employees. Reasons for medical leave can be the birth or adoption of a new child, a serious personal illness, or a leave to take care of a seriously ill family member. The employer must continue paying its portion of the premium and you are still responsible for paying your share of the premium.
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