Florida Medicaid Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Medicaid in the State of Florida?      

Medicaid is a federal program that is state regulated and administered to qualified individuals.  In the state of Florida, there are certain criteria one must meet before they are able to receive this coverage.  There is a program called the Institutional Care Program, or ICP, that handles people who require nursing home care.  Under the ICP, someone with Medicaid can receive help paying for their nursing home expenses.  This can be a lifesaver for those on a fixed income as nursing home care can be extremely expensive. 

Florida Medicaid eligibility is determined by one of two agencies: The Department of Children and Families or the Social Security Administration.  The Social Security Administration handles cases for individuals over the age of 65 and anyone requiring nursing home care as described above.  The Department of Children and Families handles eligibility for pregnant women, low income families who have children, disabled or elderly individuals who do not receive SSI benefits, and foreign visitors who require emergency medical services.

Medicaid will cover most inpatient and outpatient doctor and hospital visits, some types of medical equipment, certain diagnostic and preventative tests, prescription medications, and surgical procedures.  Sometimes, the individual is required to make a small co-payment upon receiving services which may range from $5 to $20 as an estimated average.  If you are unsure about whether or not you qualify for Medicaid in the State of Florida, you should speak to your local Department of Social Services.  This is also where you would apply for coverage and be assigned a caseworker who can help you.

If your income is deemed too high to qualify you for Medicaid, you still may be able to qualify for the Medically Needy program.  This program requires individuals to incur a specific amount of medical expenses per month before they are considered for approval.  The amount of coverage and the qualification criteria will depend on your household income and size, as well as how much your medical costs are.  To learn more about this and other programs that you may qualify for, contact the Department of Social Services in your area.

Entry Filed under: Florida Medicaid, State Medicaid Programs