Michael Lawrence
Children at Risk of Losing Medicaid Coverage, this year. What is the reason?
Nearly a million Floridians, many of them children, are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage over the next year
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have re-started their monthly checks for eligibility after pausing them for the past three years. This means hundreds of thousands of Floridians may lose their coverage from these programs over the next year. If this impacts you, a friend, or a family member, here’s what you need to know:
What’s happening?
During the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, the Department of Children and Families put a hold on checking for eligibility and did not disenroll anyone from Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
In April 2023, the regular monthly process of verifying those who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP benefits restarted. Those who are no longer eligible will lose their benefits after their anniversary month.
What can individuals do if they are losing coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)?
Those losing coverage may be able to get financial help paying the monthly cost of an Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plan from the federal government.
Individuals losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage can enroll in an ACA plan during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that runs through July 31, 2024.
ACA plans cover preventive care, doctor and hospital visits, medications, and more. These plans may have different benefits than government plans, so it’s important to reach out for guidance.
Who can help?
For those who’d like to explore ACA plans, Florida Blue has specially trained agents who can help explain your options and help you find out if you qualify for financial help. You can find a local agent (FloridaBlue.com/find-an-agent), visit a local Florida Blue Center (FloridaBlue.com/center), or call 1-844-396-2512.
If you do not enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan and lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage, other government programs that may be available are:
- Florida KidCare: Low-cost insurance for children up to age 18.
Call 1-888-540-5437.
- Medically Needy Program: A program that allows Medicaid coverage after a monthly “share of costs” is met. Call 1-850-300-4323.
Community specialists from the Florida Blue Centers across the state are also available to help anyone in the community find programs and services, including food, housing, transportation, and financial assistance, medical care, children and youth services, and even military and veteran services. They can be reached at 1-877-352-5830.
Visit GetCoveredFlorida.com to learn more and get support and guidance, even if you don’t enroll in an ACA plan.
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