Medicaid Qualifications in Florida

The state of Florida partners with the U.S. government to provide health insurance for some state residents. The application for Social Security income doubles as the Medicaid application in Florida and 31 other states. The other 19 states use separate applications or have different eligibility requirements. According to the Florida Agency For Healthcare Administration, as of 2010, 2.4 million Floridians meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.

History

• In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicaid bill into law. He signed the document at the Truman library, named after former President Harry S. Truman, who sat beside him at the ceremony. Truman started work on a health insurance bill in 1945. In 1972, the federal Supplemental Security Income program began. States could link Medicaid enrollment for the elderly to the program. In 2003, President George W. Bush signed an amendment into law which added outpatient prescription drug benefits to Medicaid.

Types

• The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration coordinates the Medicaid program and the Florida Department of Children & Families determines applicant eligibility. Florida provides Medicaid coverage for pregnant women, non-citizens experiencing medical emergencies and low-income families who have children under the age of 18. Florida also provides Medicaid coverage for just the children of low-income households. Elderly people and people with disabilities who do not receive Supplemental Security Income are also covered by Medicaid

Eligibility

• To qualify for Medicaid in Florida, applicants must complete an application and submit it to the Department of Children & Families. Applicants must have a Social Security number or have recently applied for one. Applicants must have U.S. citizenship or qualify under provisions that cover certain non-citizens. Family programs require applicants to have dependent children under the age of 18 living at home. People over the age of 65 qualify as do people with qualifying disabilities. The federal government releases income-based eligibility criteria for each type of Medicaid every year.

Features

• Medicaid provides coverage for a variety of hospital-related costs such as ambulance transportation, meals, board and medical services. Medicaid covers out-patient hospital services including preventive screening, vaccinations, family planning and some surgeries. Physician visits are covered as are specialist nursing home services. Visits to laboratories and X-ray providers are also covered under Medicaid.

Misconceptions

• Medicaid does not cover all low-income Florida residents. Aside from income restrictions, the plan also excludes families with assets in excess of $2,000. Permanent residents who are not U.S. citizens can receive Medicaid but only after five years of residence. Children of ineligible parents can receive Medicaid. The plan looks at the citizenship of children rather than parents, so children born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents can receive Medicaid. Pregnant women under the age of 21 who live with their parents must include the parents' income information on the Medicaid application.