Health Insurance for Children Living in the State of Florida

The state of Florida provides several health insurance programs through Kid Care for eligible children under the age of 19. Each program has its own eligibility requirements, including age and household income. Coverage under Medicaid and the Children's Medical Services Network are available to eligible low-income families at no cost. Families must pay a small monthly premium for MediKids and Healthy Kids if they meet eligibility requirements.

Medicaid

• The Florida Medicaid Program is funded by the national government and administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Households must meet income guidelines to qualify for Medicaid, and income limits are determined by the child's age. Payments for coverage are sent directly to doctors. Children under age 1 qualify for Medicaid if their household's income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Children between ages 1 and 5 must have a household income less than 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Children 6 to 18 years old are eligible with a household income of less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level.

MediKds

• The MediKids insurance program is available to eligible children living in Florida ages 1 to 4. Children enrolled in MediKids receive the same benefits offered in the Medicaid program. The monthly premiums for eligible low-income children enrolled in MediKids range from $15 to $20. Children with families that do not meet the income requirements may still enroll in the program for a monthly premium of $159 per child. Some of the services offered by MediKids include hospital inpatient and outpatient services, ambulance services, vision and dental services, laboratory tests and X-rays and prescribed drugs. The gross income limit for eligibility is between 133 percent and 200 percent of the national poverty level.

Healthy Kids

• Children ages 5 to 18 not eligible for Medicaid may receive health care coverage through Healthy Kids for a monthly premium. Monthly premiums range from $15 to $20 per child. Households must still meet income guidelines to qualify for the program. Healthy Kids offers coverage for doctors' visits, dental care, emergency services, immunizations and hospital stays. Children must reside in households with gross incomes above the Medicaid limit but less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Children's Medical Services Network

• Children's Medical Services Network provides health coverage to eligible special needs children who are uninsured or underinsured for their condition. To qualify for coverage, children must reside in a family whose household's income is less than 200 percent of federal poverty level. The Children's Medical Services uses a screening tool to determine your child's clinical eligibility. Some program benefits include family counseling, health education, social services, routine physical exams, surgery, medical supplies and emergency room visits. Families do not have to pay co-payments for services offered.