The tourism industry plays a huge role in Orlando, one of America’s most visited cities. Tourism contributes 50% of the city’s sales tax in an average year, which also plays a unique role in the Orlando health insurance landscape. From seasonal workers to elevated costs, it’s important to understand the unique dynamics that shape healthcare and coverage in Orlando.
Overview of Orlando’s Tourism Industry
Tourism in Orlando generates billions of dollars, creates jobs, and fuels the community. The sales tax generated by tourists goes back into the government, which in turn supports local initiatives for Orlando residents.
In 2022, 74 million people visited Orlando, surpassing New York City’s tourism in the same year by 18 million. The weather, theme parks, and attractions that make the city so popular also shape its economic growth; Orlando revenue grew 31% from 2021 to 2022 for a total of $87.6 billion. The industry also supported a whopping 450,000 jobs.
Health Insurance Needs of Orlando Residents
Orlando residents have a broad spectrum of healthcare needs, ranging from annual check-ups to emergency treatments and ongoing care for chronic conditions. They need health insurance that offers preventative services (such as check-ups and screenings) , chronic disease management, urgent care, and access to medical specialists.
While they may benefit from a booming tourism industry, residents are also challenged when it comes to healthcare. Tourists who need to seek medical care during their trip can ultimately crowd emergency rooms and urgent care centers while increasing the total cost of healthcare services for everyone.
To help offset some of these challenges, Orlando residents can look for reliable health insurance that lowers their out-of-pocket expenses and gives them access to a dependable network of health insurance providers.
Options for Orlando health insurance include:
- Private health insurance — You buy your own private health insurance and pay a monthly fee called a premium. Once you reach a certain amount of money, called a deductible, you then receive coverage from your insurance provider for services. This coverage is a large portion of the care you receive, and you only have to pay a fixed amount called a copayment or coinsurance.
- Employer-sponsored health insurance — Also known as group health insurance, employer-sponsored plans work like private health insurance policies, but your employer pays a percentage of the cost.
- Medicaid — Orlando residents who earn below a certain income bracket can qualify for state-funded health insurance called Medicaid.
- Medicare — Seniors over 65 are eligible for Medicare, a type of government-funded health insurance exclusively for elderly citizens.
Health Insurance Needs of Seasonal Workers
Working in tourism means that there are often seasonal positions that do not offer health insurance, or individuals who have major gaps in their coverage as they move between positions. Supporting seasonal workers means understanding their unique needs when it comes to health insurance.
Seasonal Workforce in Tourism
Orlando’s seasonal workforce spans across various sectors, including hospitality (hotels and accommodations), entertainment (theme parks and attractions), and transportation (shuttles, buses, car rentals).
Unique Health Insurance Challenges
Oftentimes, housekeepers, cooks, and servers are hired on a seasonal basis to accommodate for higher volumes of tourists. Although these seasonal benefits are crucial for the tourism industry, they often come with limited benefits.
There are several barriers that seasonal workers in Orlando can face when it comes to health insurance:
- Temporary employment: Short-term contracts may not offer any health benefits, ultimately leaving the employee or contractor solely responsible for paying out-of-pocket.
- Coverage gaps: Transitioning between jobs leads to periods without health insurance, exposing seasonal workers to high medical bills.
- Affordability: Private health insurance can be expensive, especially for workers in the tourism industry who work seasonally and are not earning a high income.
Available Solutions
There are several options available to help seasonal workers in Orlando get coverage:
- Short-term health insurance plans: There are short-term health insurance plans available privately that can help close gaps between seasonal positions.
- Employer-provided plans: Some employers offer coverage to seasonal workers, though this is less common.
- Catastrophic health insurance: You could purchase catastrophic health insurance, which doesn’t offer extensive coverage, but it can help in the event you need hospitalization or surgery.
- COBRA: Some employees who are let go qualify for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), but this can be costly.
Get Free Health Insurance Quotes Today
Connect with a live agent in Florida today to help you find the best health insurance plans in Orlando. We’ll match you with plans based on your budget and needs, whether you are looking for private health coverage or seasonal worker insurance. Please contact us today to connect with an agent.
