What is the AIDS Insurance Continuation Program ?

The AIDS Insurance Continuation Program (AICP) is a statewide program for persons who are diagnosed with AIDS or are HIV positive with symptoms and who, because of their illness, are unable to maintain  their private health insurance coverage. The program makes direct payments (up to $750/month) to each client's employer or insurance company for the continuation of medical, dental, mental health and optical coverage.  The AICP does not pay for disability or life insurance. 

The AICP will also pay any fees associated with conversion of a COBRA policy to an individual policy or policy upgrades.  The program will also pay client co-payments and deductibles on an as-needed basis depending on the availability of funds.

The AICP is funded by Florida's Department of Health through a combination of federal and state monies.  The program is managed by the Health Council of South Florida, Inc., a private, nonprofit health planning agency.  It is administered through local community-based organizations (CBOs).

Who benefits from the AICP?

The AICP benefits participants, health care providers and the government. Participants are able to remain under the care of their doctors without worrying that they will be forced to accept alternative coverage, such as Medicaid.

Also, since AICP clients retain their private insurance, they generally have greater access to various HIV/AIDS treatments. Providers such as doctors and hospitals also benefit from the AICP because private health insurance companies tend to offer higher payment rates than public programs.

The Government, and thus the public, achieve savings as a result of the AICP. Insurance companies continue to pay for actual health care and treatment, while the program pays for each AICP client's insurance premium. This relieves the public from paying the full cost of HIV/AIDS care.

Who qualifies for the AICP?

Depending on the availability of funds, the AICP is open to those persons who meet all of the following requirements:

• Receive a Notice of Eligibility for the HIV/AIDS Patient Care Programs.
  HIV/AIDS Patient Care Programs eligibility rules
• Diagnosis of AIDS, or HIV positive with symptoms
• Currently covered by private health insurance

 Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

Persons who believe they meet these requirements may apply for enrollment at one of the CBOs listed below.

For more information about the AICP, please call, email or write:

Robert C. Sandrock, Jr Program Director
or Wendy Sejour, Research Associate
Health Council of South Florida, Inc.
8095 N.W. 12^th Street, Suite 300
Miami, FL 33126
(305) 592-1452

rsandrock@healthcouncil.org or
wsejour@healthcouncil.org

website: www.healthcouncil.org

AICP Application Sites:

AICP MAP

Text Equivalent

 For More Information Regarding:

• AIDS Drug Assistance Program
• AIDS Insurance Continuation Program
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

Please Contact Florida's HIV/AIDS Hotline at
1-800-FLA-AIDS
(1-800-352-2437)
1-888-503-7118 (TDY)
1-800-545-SIDA (Spanish)
1-800-AIDS-101 (Creole)