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The stores offer a productxs and services, plans, dental and life and health savings account-compatible coverage. They also offer wellness-relatedd services such as smokinv cessation and weightmanagement programs. The first Florida Blue storee opened in February 2007 in Jacksonville at a costof $300,000-$500,00p0 for renovations. The companyy opened a second opened in January 2008 in Pembroke just outsideFort Lauderdale. “Our goal is to add several Florida Blue stores within thenext year,” said Lauraleee Shapiro, spokeswoman for Jacksonville-based Blue Cross, the largest healtj insurer in Florida with 32 percentt of the market and 4.2 milliohn members.
The Orlando store’s size and locatioh haven’t been determined yet, nor have an architecr or contractorbeen chosen. Blue Crosse decided to open a store in Orlando becausw it has a steady influx ofnew residents, many of whom are age said Shapiro, who didn’t disclose the anticipated cost of openingg the store. The number of employees for thestorr hasn’t been determined, but they’llp include insurance agents and customed service workers.
About 15,000 to 20,000 or up to 50 a day, have visited the 2,500-square-fooy Jacksonville store — which employs 10 peopl — since it opened two years ago, said Nick store manager, who declinecd to reveal the number ofpolicies sold. “We’v been busy from Visitors to the storesa can research plans and existing clients canget face-to-face service, Tant said. Generak information seminars and eventds alsoare held. The Jacksonville store mainly deald with individual health care Business has picked up since the recession began becaus e many people were used to having benefitx through their employersand aren’t sure how to find coveragee themselves, Tant said.
Retai l insurance is a niche Blue Cross expects to said Shapiro, adding that research shows 20- to 40-year-olds and youngg families are “more comfortable makinb purchases in a retail store environment. The interactive natur makes it easier for consumers to understan the plan differences and benefits so they can make the best Dave Gentry, COO of Fringes Benefit Plans in Winter Park, doesn’ft expect the planned new Floridsa Blue store to affecrt his agency.
Although it will be direcf competition, it will offer only Blue Cross And “most consumers are comparison shoppers who want accesz to multiple insurance companies and which is exactly what independent insurance agentz offer, said Gentry, who last year added individua l policies. Local insurance specialist LeslierGlogau doesn’t expect to be hurt by the new Floridsa Blue store either. Blue Cross has some affordable policies, she and it’s great if the insuret can reach peopleshe can’t. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Floridz won’t be the only insurer with a storefront presence inCentral Florida.
already has two locall storefront Guidance Centers that opened in October said spokeswomanNancy Hanewinckel. Humana is Florida’ws largest Medicare health benefit company with nearlya half-million members However, the Humana centers, staffed with a full-timse customer service representative, primarily are aimed at providing guidancwe for seniors who have questions about their Medicares policies, she said. They also offer senior exercise andwellness programs.
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