Florida Medicaid gives low-incomes Floridians access to medical care.
Almost three million low-income Floridians have access to health care thanks to Medicaid, a cooperative program between the state and the federal government. Florida Medicaid offers basic health care services to children and families, and also helps some elderly and disabled residents with health care and nursing home costs. The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration estimates that Florida Medicaid will cost more than $20 billion in the 2010-11 fiscal year.
Medicaid Programs
Florida Medicaid has programs for low-income families with children, children only, low-income pregnant women, aged and disabled people who do not receive Social Security income and non-residents with medical emergencies. For those who can't afford health care but do not qualify for full Medicaid, Florida offers a cost-sharing program and a discount prescription drug plan. For individuals aged 19 to 64 who have not had health insurance for at least six months, Florida offers the Cover Florida Health Care Program, an affordable health insurance plan.
Citizenship Requirements
Florida Medicaid is only available to Florida residents who are in the United States legally. The only exceptions are non-residents or aliens applying for emergency medical assistance. All applicants must have a Social Security number, or apply for one, before applying for Medicaid. The Department of Children and Families will check the immigration status of all applicants, and will use the Social Security number to verify citizenship and income and asset claims. DCF does not report the immigration status of non-citizens applying on behalf of their children, or anyone living in the household who is not applying for benefits.
Income Eligibility
Eligibility for Florida Medicaid is determined by income, household size and assets. For family Medicaid, the household income must be equal to or less than 120 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The family cannot have more than $2,000 in assets, which include cash in bank accounts, stocks and bonds. If your household's income exceeds those limits, and there is a child under age 19 in the house, you can apply for Medicaid benefits for the child only. The income limits for child-only programs vary according to the age of the child, but in general, the household income can't be more than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
Covered Services
Florida Medicaid covers most medically necessary services. These include wellness and preventive care visits, other outpatient doctor visits, hospital care, prenatal and obstetric care, behavioral health services and dental care. Medicaid also covers the cost of prescriptions. Medicaid beneficiaries must visit participating providers, and in some cases, may be required to pay a small co-pay for services.
Applying for Medicaid
Households can apply for Florida Medicaid benefits either online or at their local DCF office or authorized community agency. In most cases, if you visit a DCF office, you can apply for benefits using a computer kiosk in the customer service area of the lobby. You will need to supply verification documents, including proof of income, citizenship and assets, and you may be required to meet with a caseworker to verify additional information before your Medicaid benefits take effect.
Tags: Florida Medicaid, health care, household income, Medicaid benefits, more than, Social Security, federal poverty
