Submitted by Kymrae Mizell-Hill, PhD
Florida’s Department of Children and Families has released data showing nearly 300,000 men, women, and children statewide were disenrolled from the active Medicaid rolls that serve the needy since April 1, 2023. It’s expected that approximately 7,500 people will lose coverage monthly throughout Broward County.
With the Coronavirus public health emergency declared over, Florida has reimposed Medicaid income guidelines that were suspended to assist those who needed coverage to weather the pandemic. This redetermination process will review all 5.5 million people currently receiving benefits over the next 12 months and apply the reactivated income guidelines to each case. According to DCF, approximately 1.7 million people statewide will lose benefits.
The vast majority of those who have already lost coverage – an estimated 246,000 people – were procedurally terminated due to a lack of requested information not returned to DCF to make an eligibility determination. It’s estimated 173,000 Floridians to date could have maintained coverage if the proper paperwork was returned.
Efforts have been made by DCF to reach those currently enrolled in the program by either mail or email. Letters with yellow bands have been sent to the address on file for each Medicaid recipient, outlining the steps people need to take to ensure their continuous coverage.
“Pushing through things and rushing it will lead to eligible people – kids and families – losing coverage for some period of time” Daniel Tsai, a top federal medical official recently told reporters.
Unfortunately, these efforts have fallen short, and the results are clear: 4,700 Floridians lose coverage every day.
“We have families coming in every day asking questions. These are our neighbors with children who don’t know they have been kicked off coverage until they go to pick up a prescription or try to make a doctor appointment. Everyone needs to check their coverage as soon as possible” said Nora Stewart, enrollment specialist at the Sistrunk Obamacare office.
To assist those in need, DCF recently authorized a new neighborhood Medicaid office that will help anyone who needs to complete the redetermination process.
In this neighborhood office, options are available for those facing a loss of coverage: The Federal government is allowing those who can produce proof of disenrollment the opportunity to enroll in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) through July 31, 2024. Enrollment specialists are on site and trained to assist with both Medicaid and Obamacare applications. There are no fees for these services, and often the plans do not have monthly premiums. Additionally, Obamacare applications can be processed online or by phone.
“People might feel like the bottom is falling out if they lose coverage” said Jalen Clyburn, who recently enrolled in an Obamacare to maintain her coverage. “But it’s important to remember that folks like me have other options that will help many obtain and maintain coverage.”
People who have been disenrolled for Medicaid benefits are urged to visit one of your local Medicaid offices listed below and complete the process to re-enroll for coverage:
Department of Children and Families: 3758 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale FL 33311 (850) 300-4323
Manors Medicaid Center: 1931 NW 9 Avenue Fort Lauderdale FL 33311 (954) 467-5599
