In the midst of a humanitarian crisis that has already brought more than 143,000 people into the state since Oct. 3, Puerto Ricans arriving in Florida  are finding a confusing health-care system, with deductibles higher than those they are used to on the island and private insurance plans that don’t transfer smoothly.

For many Puerto Ricans who expect to return home, switching to a mainland insurance plan is not an ideal choice. But conditions on the island remain bleak, and many of them could decide to stay permanently.

Keina Matías, a coordinator for the Health Insurance Store in Kissimmee, volunteers at the welcome center at the Orlando International Airport to help newly arrived Puerto Ricans understand the insurance system and their options. She explained that people with health insurance from Puerto Rico can sign up for Medicare without penalties under the Special Enrollment Period, which applies to patients who’ve experienced life-changing events like moving. Continue reading>>