Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans 2023

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FL Small Business Health Insurance Plans

Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans

Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans 2023 . The following is an overview of the rules that govern small group health insurance plans in the State of Florida.

The information that is discussed below includes the laws that have been mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA or "Obamacare"), as well as the laws that are required by Florida State government.

If you own and operate a FL small business and you already offer small group health insurance or you're thinking about offering small group health insurance - this guide can help you better understand the regulations, requirements and available Florida small business health insurance plans available.

Learn how to get Florida small business health insurance plans for 1 to 50 employees. The best small business health insurance providers in FL offer affordable rates, flexible coverage options and access to a large network of medical providers.

Below are some answers to commonly asked FL small business health insurance plan questions:

How Much Does Florida Small Business Health Insurance Cost?

What are the small business health insurance regulations in florida, does florida participate in the affordable care act, what are the affordable care act requirements for florida small businesses.

What Types Of Health Insurance Plans Are Available For Florida Small Businesses?

The average price of a standard Florida small business health insurance policy ranges from around $583 to over $1706 per employee per month based on; single or family, location, coverages offered, deductibles and more.

Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans

In Florida, state laws require health insurance companies to sell all small businesses group health insurance policies. Additionally, the same small group health insurance policies that are sold to other small businesses that every other eligible Florida-based small business has access to.

In order to be eligible, a small business must have a minimum of 2 but no more than 50 employees. However, health insurance companies are legally allowed to require minimum participation requirements if they choose to do so.

As per this stipulation, a specific percentage of group members have to purchase the health insurance policy that is offered, otherwise the Florida small business health insurance plans can be rescinded.

As long as a small business meets the above-mentioned requirements, Florida health insurance companies are required to sell the business a policy; however, the price of the policy is regulated on a minimal basis.

Certain factors, such as the age, gender, and family size of the group, can be used to determine the premium rates, and depending on those factors, those rates can be higher; however, the health status of the group cannot be used to increase the premiums.

Moreover, to protect groups that are insured under a small business health insurance policy, Florida health insurance regulations do not allow health insurance companies to cancel policies when and if one of the insured individuals becomes ill.

According to Florida Office of Financial Regulation , the federal government passed health care insurance reform which included the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) signed into law on March 23, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 signed into law on March 30. Together, these bills are referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Affordable Care Act Florida

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA or "ObamaCare") was passed by the United States Congress and was signed into law by Obama. Following its passage, provisions of the law have continued to be phased in, and as of January 1, 2014, the majority of American citizens and legal residents of the United States are required, by law, to have qualifying health care coverage.

If they fail to have coverage, they are responsible for paying an annual tax penalty for each month they aren't insured, which is known as the "individual mandate".

The cost of the penalty for failure to have qualifying coverage is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, or 1% of your total taxable income; whichever amount is higher - as much as $285 per family. In 2017, the penalty increased, and has continued to increase thereafter.

Qualifying Exemptions For The Individual Mandate

Individuals who meet one of the following are exempt from the individual mandate and the associated tax penalties in FL:

Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans Claim Form

If you're a small business owner in Florida, you must provide your employees with insurance. This is a requirement that was put into place by the Affordable Care Act.

Referred to as the Employer Shared Responsibility provision, all employers must offer their employees at least one of the ACA-compliant Florida small business health insurance plans, otherwise then can face fines of up to $2,000 per employee.

Florida small business owners can purchase coverage for their employees through the state's Small Health Option Program (SHOP) exchange, or from a private insurance agent or broker.

Affordable Care Act Standardized Essential Health Benefits

As per the ACA, all qualifying health insurance plans must offer 10 standardized essential benefits.

Depending on the state, additional benefits may also be required. The 10 ACA standardized essential benefits are as follows:

Additional Health Benefits Mandated In Florida

In addition to these 10 standardized essential benefits, the State of Florida currently mandates health insurance companies also offer the following benefits:

Standardized Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans

ACA Metal Levels

In order to make it easier to compare costs and benefits, the Affordable Care Act has designated all qualifying Florida small business health insurance plans to be one of four metal colors, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Each of these designations is based on the average amount of health care costs that the plan will cover, which is illustrates at percentages of how much the insurance company will cover for health care, as well as the amount the insured will have to pay out-of-pocket.

All insurance companies that are participating in the federal or state health care exchange program must offer at least the Silver and Gold Florida small business health insurance plans.

All four of the metal plans have a shared maximum out-of-pocked amount that the insured can be charged during any calendar year. The following table illustrates this information:

Guaranteed Issue

As per the ACA, individuals cannot be denied coverage or charged higher premiums because of their past health history, or their gender.

Additionally, look-back and waiting periods cannot be imposed. Additionally, policies are effective when they are issued and all coverage is renewable if the individual chooses to renew the policy.

However, plans can be canceled if the individual fails to pay their premiums or commits fraud.

How Are FL Health Insurance Premiums Determined?

A premium is the amount the insured must pay out-of-pocket in order to maintain their health insurance policy. The premiums that are charged for any of the qualifying metal plans can be based on the following:

Health Insurance Plan Types

While there are several types of health insurance plans to choose from, the following plans are the most popular among FL small business owners:

Health Maintenance Organization - Simply known as an "HMO", this type of plan offers a variety of health-related services via a network of health care providers and hospitals that exclusively contract with the HMO, or who agree to offer their services to members of the HMO. Employees who participate in this type of plan usually have to choose a primary care physician (PCP), and receive most of their care from this physician. If a specialist is needed, the PCP will recommend one that is affiliated with the HMO.

Preferred Provider Organization - More commonly referred to simply as "PPO", this type of health insurance plan is the most common among Florida small business owners. The insurance company provides a preferred list of health care providers, and employees must receive their medical care from the doctors and hospitals on that list for their claims to be paid at the highest level possible - but they also have the flexibility to see any other provider anywhere in or out of state.

Point-of-Service Plan - Known as a (POS), this type of health insurance plan provides access to health care services at a lower overall cost, but with fewer choices. Members can access care from in-network or out-of-network providers and facilities, but coverage is better when you stay in-network. POS plans may vary, but generally, plans are considered a blend of HMO and PPO plans - offering more flexibility than HMOs, but less than PPOs.

Health Savings Account - A health savings account (HSA) is a special type of bank account that allows participants in the insurance plan to save money that can be used specifically for the medical care they require in the future. HSA-qualified health insurance plans are usually PPO plans that are specifically designed to be used with an HSA.

Indemnity Health Insurance - This type of health insurance plan allows members to control their own health care and to visit any doctor or hospital they choose. The insurance company would then pay a pre-determined percentage of the total charges for the services that were rendered. Employees may have to pay for some types of services up-front and then they can submit a request for reimbursement with the insurance company.

Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans - The Bottom Line

We strongly advise business owners to speak with a CPA and a FL health insurance broker before jumping in and getting any type of the Florida small business health insurance plans available.

Make sure that you know exactly what each option can do for your company and the potential drawbacks associated with it.

Learn about Florida small business insurance requirements for general liability, business property, commercial auto & workers compensation including FL business insurance costs. Call us (954) 399-3996 .

Small Business Health Insurance Plans By State

You can find more state specific small business health insurance information including requirments and coverage by clicking on the state below:

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Licensed States

Partner States

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Florida Group Health Insurance & Employee Benefit Plans

Most career-oriented individuals are highly interested in the benefits and insurance they have access to at work. They need affordable options to help them plan for their future and to care for their loved ones at home. One significant component in this evaluation is health insurance coverage. Luckily, one great way for a Florida company to rise above the competition is to offer health insurance coverage and other employee benefits. This helps them attract and retain qualified employees.

Florida Group Health Insurance & Employee Benefit Plans

Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency can help your business find health insurance and benefits at an affordable cost with lower monthly premiums. We have been working with leading insurance carriers in the nation for nearly 30 years. When you call, one of our licensed agents will go over all your options to help you create the perfect group health insurance and employee benefit plan.

Due to our long history in the industry, we’re able to tailor plans and negotiate health insurance costs while still remaining in compliance with government rules, including the Affordable Care Act . Staying within the requirements of the law may help your business to qualify for tax breaks at the end of the year.

Florida Large Group Health Insurance Plans

Large employers in Florida usually offer comprehensive health insurance plans for their employees. As is the case elsewhere, many share the cost with the employees, subsidizing the expense but also requiring the worker to pay a portion. Employees often evaluate the choices between health care plans based on their premium cost and may not always thoroughly investigate the costs they will incur when they use the services.

Employers can help with this by providing ample communication explaining the options between health insurance plans, particularly when making changes. For example, large companies have increased usage of high deductible plans with accompanying health savings options (HSA). While this form of insurance coverage is often economical for subscribers, it can be intimidating to accept such a high deductible.

The employer will likely achieve a better acceptance rate if the employees get adequate information about the potential benefits of the health savings account. Communication is even more critical when the company makes a sizable contribution to the HSA, which is often the case. Your Taylor Benefits Insurance representative can assist you with informative material about any health plan.

Florida Small Business Health Insurance Plans

The ACA doesn’t obligate small companies (with fewer than fifty employees) to offer employee sponsored health insurance to their workforce. However, many want to, and it’s certainly a competitive advantage in hiring. Almost thirty percent of small companies pay the entire premium for employee coverage with ten percent also paying the cost for family members. The most significant percentage of workers (forty-five percent) are enrolled in PPO health insurance plans, often with a high deductible. Those in HMO plans also comprise a sizable portion.

Small companies may benefit from investigating plans available through SHOP (the Small Business Health Options Program), which offers opportunities for smaller companies to provide affordable coverage to their workforce. Taylor Benefits Insurance can help you navigate the offerings available there. Small companies can decide to stick with just one health plan for all workers or potentially offer a choice. You can also pay some or none of the premiums, and you get to decide whether to cover dependents.

Florida Employee Benefit Plans and Employee Benefit Packages

Putting together a benefits plan for your employees depends on your workforce demographics and, in part, on your budget. Health insurance and paid time off are a good foundation for your benefits plan. These are typically at the top of the wish list for workers. Florida doesn’t require paid time off, but most employers include some to motivate and reward their teams.

Next on the list, you may want to offer a retirement savings plan. While these aren’t as common among small companies, workers value the opportunity to benefit from employer assistance with their retirement savings. For almost any company size, there are reasonable options for establishing a 401(k) or IRA that your employees can contribute to.

What is Covered Under Florida Large Group Health Insurance?

Group health insurance provides essential coverage and health care services at lower premiums to a group of people. Group coverage may have other advantages compared to individual plans, including faster claims, lower monthly premiums, and the option to include family members. Small business owners offer health insurance to cover the essential health benefits of their eligible employees.

Group health insurance offers these features in many cases:

Benefits of Group Health Insurance Plans for Employers

Offering a Group Health Insurance Plan will be beneficial for both employees and the sponsoring company. Some potential positive outcomes for the employer include:

Enhance Employee Productivity

In a competitive employment market, companies look for ways to support and encourage their employees. Providing high-quality health insurance is one great tool for enhancing employee productivity and increasing loyalty.

Reduce Taxes

In most cases, the portion of the insurance premium that the employer pays is tax deductible. This benefit allows the company to assist workers with their health and also recoup some of the expense. Furthermore, small business owners employing less than 25 workers may be eligible for  tax credits, depending on the wages the company pays to workers.

Attract and Retain Loyal Employees

In general, pay and company culture are still two of the most important criteria that employees take into account when they consider their tenure at a company. However, for most current and potential employees, the benefits package is a significant component of the decision. Offering a robust benefits package, including high-quality health insurance, gives your company an edge when hiring.

Boost Goodwill

It’s vital for your organization to maintain a good reputation in the industry. You can bolster your standing in the community by providing satisfactory benefits to your workforce. 

Benefits of Group Health Insurance for Employees

Your employees are your greatest asset, and it’s important to keep them healthy and productive. One way to assist workers in that endeavor is by offering group health insurance. For the employees, the availability of insurance may support these benefits:

Affordable Insurance

In many cases, employee health insurance premiums are more affordable than the cost of an individual plan. Since the risk is shared among the group, each worker typically pays less than they would for individual coverage.

Streamlined Claims Process

With some available individual health insurance plans, the subscriber is subjected to a tedious, challenging process for seeking reimbursement of funds they have paid in advance for service. In contrast, with group coverage, the medical service provider will typically bill the insurance company for covered services and the subscriber only pays anything not covered, plus any copayment or deductible. 

Inclusive Health Care Coverage for Family Members

If an employee must obtain and manage individual healthcare plans for multiple family members, that can be a hassle.  But if you have group health insurance, you may be able to include your family within one plan. That means less stress and uncertainty for the employee, and probably better coverage for the family members included.

 Good Motivation Tool

The right group health plan will serve as an excellent motivational tool for employees. Employee coverage helps workers feel valued. This, in turn, can lead to higher productivity and increased employee engagement for small businesses.

Mistakes to Avoid while Purchasing Small Business Health Insurance

As an employer, it is important that you assess the needs of your employees when you purchase health insurance for them. Make sure that you avoid some common mistakes.

Choosing Limited Health Insurance Coverage

As a small business, your company is not required to provide sponsored group health insurance. However, if you offer coverage, you must adhere to the stipulations regarding coverage that are part of the Affordable Care Act. Even beyond that requirement, it’s crucial to evaluate the plan you choose for your workforce. Ensure that it meets their needs and will not cause financial hardship.

Failing to Fully Research Options Before Choosing a Policy

Evaluating group health insurance is not an easy task for small employers. The different policy choices can be confusing. For example, should you get an HMO or PPO? It’s vital that you investigate the pros and cons of each policy structure before deciding.

Consider the breadth of the provider network if you opt for a network plan instead of a fee-for-service (traditional indemnity) plan. It’s important to know that the provider choices include the ones most employees prefer. 

Also, read the fine print (or have a detailed conversation with your broker) to determine that services your workers need are included. 

Insurance and Benefit Options That Will Enhance Your Group Plan

Explanation of Basic Healthcare Plans

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance And Employee Benefit Plans in Florida

In  Florida and across the United States, the ACA requires that employers offer coverage for their workforce is they are considered a large employer. Small businesses not categorized as large may also offer insurance coverage. If they do, it must comply with the ACA’s affordability and comprehensive benefits standards. 

What Are the Benefits of Large Group Health Insurance plans in Florida?

small business health plans florida

The biggest benefit of large group health insurance plans is that the premiums are usually lower than you would probably find for individual insurance coverage. This is because the insurer can distribute the risk across a large group of subscribers, which makes the per-person cost lower. Group health insurance plans are easy to administer and should cover every employee in the company. A few workers having specific illnesses won’t prevent the company from obtaining affordable coverage.

In Florida, How Much Do Small Business Groups Insurance Plans Cost on Average?

The premium cost for employer-provided insurance is typically lower than the price for individual coverage. Each employer decides how much of the premium to pass along to the workers. However, large businesses must ensure that the subscriber premium does not exceed 9.12 percent of income for the participants. Recent public studies report that costs are higher in Florida than in many states. Employees participating in an employer-sponsored plan paid an average of $1,811 for an individual policy and over $7,600 for family coverage.

What Benefits do Employers Offer in Florida?

small business health plans florida

In Florida, an employee benefits package should include:

What Are Your Insurance Needs?

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small business health plans florida

Todd Taylor with Taylor Benefits gives our small business the kind of personal service we need. Insurance benefits are important to our employees and Todd helps us find a balance between benefits and value. Todd responds immediately to my phone calls & e-mails. He has even gotten in touch with me on a Sunday when we were in need of coverage answers immediately. We are very pleased with the hands-on service Todd and his staff provide.”

- Ken and Linda Orvick, Orvick Management Group, Inc.

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The good news is: You are not alone. By the end of 2020, the U.S. would process a record 4.4 million new business applications to be quickly followed by a record 5.4 million new business applications in 2021. And through it all, Florida remained at the forefront. Between January 2021 and 2022, the Sunshine State accounted for 683,680 of all new business applications filed nationwide, soundly beating its nearest competitors.

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Emergency Preparedness

Florida’s disaster response programs serve as a model for the nation.

Preparation and planning are key elements in keeping Florida open for business after a disaster.  Florida’s Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)  annually updates a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) with the goal that Florida’s citizens and businesses receive state-of-the-art assistance during and after an emergency.

If you need additional assistance with your business, please call 850-815-4925 between the hours of 8 am to 6 pm or email [email protected] .

Below is a list of state and federal resources available for businesses to utilize in their mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities:

State of Florida Disaster Assistance Programs:

Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey : Businesses that are damaged after a state-designated emergency can fill the Damage Assessment Survey to provide information about the damage and connect with available resources. The information provided in this survey will be shared among various state and local agencies to expedite implementation of appropriate disaster relief programs for businesses.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program : The purpose of the Emergency Bridge Loan Program is to provide a source of expedient cash flow to Florida small businesses impacted by a disaster. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance : Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a benefit program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor that assists individuals who become unemployed as a result of a disaster . Eligible applicants may apply on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) website.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Recovery Guide : A collection of resources designed to reopen your business and assist with long-term recovery, including immediate needs, financial assistance, IT disaster recovery, mental health, and community recovery.

Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund : The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund, a resiliency loan fund provided through a partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, is assisting businesses that experienced physical damage or economic injury from Hurricane Ian. It provides longer-term loans with higher funding levels at market interest rates. Up to $500,000 in financing can be provided to an eligible business for the following purposes: inventory purchases, construction or renovation, working capital needs, capital start-up loans, machinery and equipment purchases, equipment financing, and more .

Heart of Florida United Way : In response to the effects of Hurricane Ian on Central Florida residents, Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) has opened the application for one-time assistance for food & emergency supplies. The online application can be completed online. Applicants must be over the age of 18, residents of Orange, Seminole or Osceola counties, and must attest they were adversely impacted by Hurricane Ian. Impacts include loss of income due to work closures, loss of food, or damage to property. Only one application per household can be submitted for the assistance which will come in the form of a Wal-Mart e-gift card in the amount of $300.

American Red Cross

Florida Veterans Foundation Emergency Assistance

Loan Programs:

FSMSDC : Contact: Marie B. Hyppolite, MBA, (305) 762-6151

Prospera USA : Contact: Myrna Sonora, (786) 329-5830

BBIF : Contact: Lamont Jackson, MBA (407) 502-0979

Ascendus : Contact: Elsa Rosario, (407) 901-9419

Federal Disaster Assistance Programs:

FEMA (FLORIDA) : Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance can help residents recover after Hurricane Ian.

Orange County Residents may qualify for:

  • Up to $37,900 for home repairs from FEMA
  • Up to $37,900 for other lost property (damaged automobile or other property from FEMA)

Apply now at DisasterAssistance.gov , dial (800) 621-3362 or download the FEMA mobile app .

Small Business Administration Disaster Loans : If your business sustained damage or economic hardship due to a disaster in your area, you can apply for a SBA Disaster Loan . Businesses of all sizes may apply for up to $2 million to be used to repair damaged real estate, replace, or repair machinery and equipment, or replace inventory and various other business assets. You may also be eligible to borrow up to $2 million for economic injury recovery.

Counties that Qualify in Florida : Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami Dade, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota

What the loan funds can be used for : SBA makes physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to qualified businesses or most private nonprofit organizations. These loans proceeds may be used for the repair or replacement of the following: Real property, Machinery, Equipment, Fixtures, Inventory, Leasehold improvements.

Maximum Amount of Loan : The maximum loan for any combination of property damage and/or economic injury is $2 million.

For additional information, please contact the Customer Service Center. Call 800-659-2955 (If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or email [email protected] .

SBA : Visit https://lnkd.in/eAwbvZG or call (800) 659-2955

SBA Disaster email contact : [email protected]

To Apply for disaster assistance : https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov

Florida residents who did not evacuate but now need to leave their home can visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for open general and special needs shelters in Florida.

Business Mitigation & Preparedness:

  • www.nhc.noaa.gov/
  • www.fema.gov/locations/florida
  • msc.fema.gov/portal/home
  • (Prepare) floridadisaster.biz/ManageContent?PageID=PREPARE
  • (Respond) floridadisaster.biz/ManageContent?PageID=RESPOND
  • myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/GPEY-CEQLX7/$file/2022+Hurricane+Preparedness+Guide+FINAL+English.pdf
  • Florida’s Economic Development Organizations by County: business disaster planning & local, personalized assistance are provided by the economic development organization in each of the 67 Florida counties.
  • Business Disaster Plan Template: provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management .
  • Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry: provided by FEMA.
  • Tourism Disaster Assistance: provided by the state’s official tourism organization, Visit Florida. Tourism hotline: 800.287.8598
  • Florida Building Code Standards: provided by Building a Safer Florida, Inc.

Florida Disaster Website

Florida Disaster recovery for businesses (Subset of Floridadisaster.org for business recovery)

Recovery resources for businesses, including links to a damage assessment survey, emergency loan program, unemployment assistance, small business recovery guide, etc.

floridadisaster.biz/ManageContent?PageID=RECOVER

Features of the website include:

  • A disaster planning toolkit to help businesses prepare for hurricanes and other disasters;
  • Critical disaster updates from the State Emergency Operations Center to keep businesses informed during emergencies; and
  • A Business Damage Assessment Survey to help businesses get back up and running after an emergency.
  • Office of emergency management for each county: www.floridadisaster.biz/Contacts

Business Response & Recovery Programs:

Florida Short Time Compensation for Employers Program Description: Short-Time Compensation (STC) is a temporary alternative work style that will assist employers in keeping their workforce intact. The program permits prorated unemployment compensation benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of an STC plan to avoid the total layoff of some employees.  Phone: (850) 921-3253 – Website:  www.floridajobs.org

Florida Disaster Unemployment Assistance Description: Unemployment benefits for individuals unemployed as a result of the disaster that are not covered by regular state or private unemployment insurance. Applicants have 30 days to file after the disaster is announced. Phone: (800) 204-2418 – Website:  www.fluidnow.com

Florida Small Business Resource Network Description: The Small Business Continuity Services Resource Network (SBCSRN) is a database of Florida professionals identified to fill niche areas for recovery technical assistance in support of small businesses and the Florida economy. Phone: (904) 620-2489 – Website:  www.sbrn.org

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Description: License, insurance, and consumer complaint information on building contractors Phone: (800) 435-7352 – Website:  www.freshfromflorida.com

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Description: An order can be given to reduce regulatory processes and provide flexibility for restoring services quickly during a disaster. Phone: (850) 245-2118 – Website:  www.floridadep.org

Florida Department of Insurance Description: Small Business Insurance information assistance Phone: (850) 922-3132 – Website:  www.myfloridacfo.com

Florida Department of Management Services

Florida Emergency Network Secure Site Description: Log in for State agencies, EOC offices, City, and County to order supplies during a declared emergency. Website:  www.dms.myflorida.com

The Florida Emergency Supplier Network (Vendors) Description: Identify and group needed commodities and services by type and/or distribution channel, based on experience. Coordinate suppliers of emergency commodities and services for membership in the FESN. Also collect and organize the information and make it accessible to government buyers during emergency operations. Website:  www.dms.myflorida.com The Florida Emergency Purchasing Network (Volunteers) Description: Coordinates purchasing volunteer efforts during declared emergencies, organizes the delivery of specialized training through the Division of Emergency Management. Also collects and organize the FEPN information and make it accessible to emergency logistics officials requiring procurement assistance during emergency operations. Website: www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations

Florida Department of Revenue Description: The Florida Department of Revenue will waive penalties and interest during the period of emergency for impacted taxpayers who are unable to file returns and/or make payment of taxes on time. Phone: (800) 352-3671 – Website:  ritx-fl-sales.bswa.net

Visit Florida Description: Visit Florida adopted complimentary Cover Your Event (CYE) Insurance. This supplemental insurance cover any costs directly related to re-booking a meeting should it be displaced due to a named hurricane/disaster. CYE ensures that you can plan your meeting with confidence and take full advantage of Florida’s unsurpassed venues any time of year, while benefiting from those outstanding summer and fall values. Phone: (850) 205-3800 – Website:  www.visitflorida.org

Business Response & Recovery Programs: Federal

FEMA Description: Disaster victims can obtain additional information and apply for disaster assistance through FEMA in various ways. A toll-free number has been established by FEMA for disaster victims to apply for certain types of disaster programs and obtain information about others. You can obtain information by calling. Phone: (800) 621-FEMA (3362) – Website:  www.fema.gov

SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) Description: Small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives suffering a substantial economic injury may be eligible for an economic injury disaster loan of up to $1.5 million to meet necessary financial obligations – Bills the company would have paid if the disaster had not occurred. Phone: (800) 659-2955 – Website:  www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Physical Disaster Loans SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) Description: Businesses of all sizes may apply for a Physical Disaster Loan of up to 1.5 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, equipment, inventory and fixtures. These loans will cover uninsured or under-insured losses. Phone: (800) 659-2955 – Website:  www.sba.gov

IRS Excise Tax Description: IRS will waive tax penalties on disasters on a case-by-case basis. Phone: (800) 829-1040 – Website:  www.irs.gov/businesses

  • Outages Page www.fpl.com/my-account/web-outage.html#wors/mainTab/phoneTab
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Government Notifications :

  • www.flgov.com/2022/09/25/governor-ron-desantis-issues-updates-on-state-response-to-tropical-storm-ian-state-emergency-operations-center-activated-to-level-one/
  • www.fema.gov/press-release/20220925/fema-urges-preparedness-now-tropical-storm-ian
  • thefloridachannel.org/videos/9-26-22-emergency-operations-center-briefing/

Hurricane Preparation for Businesses :

Ten Steps to prepare your business

  • Prepare an Emergency Action Plan and practice it.
  • Back up your data
  • Protect Your Site and Fleet
  • Operate Remotely
  • Establish an on-site support plan
  • Secure a Recovery services provider
  • Declare early
  • Outsource your recovery
  • Implement an effective communications strategy
  • Expect the Unexpected

Success Stories & News

Enterprise florida launches minority and small business boot camp 2.0, enterprise florida launches first-ever minority and small business boot camp, florida organizes first-in-nation virtual international trade show, enterprise florida expands virtual business matchmaking assistance to engage canada and mexico, enterprise florida to award grants for virtual international trade shows, enterprise florida to award grants for virtual business matchmaking, covid-19 resources for florida businesses, connex florida – florida’s supply chain database, enterprise florida suspends initial fees through its microfinance guarantee program to support florida small business community, florida sbdc network announces changes to the small business emergency bridge loan application process.

Research & Policy

NCSL conducts policy research in areas ranging from agriculture and budget and tax issues to education and health care to immigration and transportation. NCSL’s experts are here to answer your questions and give you unbiased, comprehensive information as soon as you need it on issues facing state legislatures. We answer more than 20,000 requests for information a year. 

The conference's consulting services on policy issues go beyond testifying. NCSL helps draft bills, organize workshops and convene legislative-executive teams. NCSL staff are prepared to visit your state to work with legislators and staff on almost any public policy issue or issue related to the management of a legislature. Contact your state’s liaison to schedule a briefing or to learn more.

Latest Research Resources

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NCSL 50-State Searchable Bill Tracking Databases

State and federal environmental justice efforts, fy 2024 state budget status, rare and orphan diseases, memorial day: remembering those who died while serving in america’s armed forces.

This weekend, Americans pause to remember and honor those who have given their lives while serving in the nation’s armed forces.

Juvenile Justice: States with Juvenile Competency Laws

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For more information on this topic, use this form to reach NCSL staff.

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    Learn how to get Florida small business health insurance plans for 1 to 50 employees. The best small business health insurance providers in FL offer affordable rates, flexible coverage options and access to a large network of medical providers

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    Small businesses often pay more for employee health benefits because they don't have the buying power of big employers. Small Business Snapshot: Beginning in 2014, small businesses have been able to participate