Florida Healthy Kids Kidcare Health Insurance

The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation was founded in 1990 in an effort to provide health care coverage to minors living in the state. The corporation is a partner agency with the Florida Department of Health's KidCare program. It provides low-cost health insurance to eligible children as well as full-pay options for families who do not meet certain income requirements. The Healthy Kids Corporation also handles insurance for minors not covered under Medicaid.

Florida KidCare

• The Florida KidCare program provides health insurance for minors ages 18 and younger. Each of the program's partners are responsible for providing coverage to a certain population within this age range. For example, MediKids, which provides health insurance for children between the ages of 1 and 4, is offered through the state's Agency for Health Care Administration. The Healthy Kids Corporation handles coverage specifically for Florida minors between the ages of 5 and 18.

Eligibility

• Florida minors who are not eligible for Medicaid can receive coverage under the state's Healthy Kids insurance option. Families with an income between 101 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level can apply for reduced-cost benefits. The monthly cost for these low-income families is $15 to $20, according to the Healthy Kids Corporation. Kids can still obtain health insurance under the program if their families have an income greater than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. However, they will be charged a full-pay monthly rate.

Covered Services

• The Healthy Kids insurance covers immunizations, doctor visits, dental care, hospital inpatient procedures and emergency services. Other program benefits include laboratory testing, specialist physician visits and prescription drugs. Sessions with chiropractors, speech therapists, physical therapists and podiatrists are also covered but must meet certain criteria. Organ transplants and special services ,such as home health care, are covered under the Healthy Kids program. Both inpatient and outpatient mental health services and substance abuse treatment are covered as well.

Applying for Coverage

• Florida families wanting to apply for Healthy Kids health insurance can do so online or by mailing a completed application to Florida KidCare in Tallahassee. Documentation verifying the families' income is required. Acceptable proof includes the most recent tax return, pay stubs covering the most recent four weeks or a Wage and Earnings Statement. The children's Social Security numbers must also be provided. Proof of their citizenship and identity is required as well. A Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or a U.S. passport are acceptable as proof of both identity and citizenship.