West Palm Beach, FL – On Monday, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) held a press conference to alert Palm Beach County residents to potential losses in Medicaid health care coverage. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress prohibited states from removing anyone from Medicaid.

Starting May 1^st, states can begin re-evaluating eligibility and removing people who are no longer eligible. In Florida, Medicaid recipients once again need to reestablish their eligibility every six months.

All Medicaid beneficiaries must ensure Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) has their updated information in order to keep their health care coverage.

Beneficiaries can update their information directly in their DCF online account or update their information by mail by filling out the form DCF sent them in a yellow-striped envelope. Patients can also contact a patient navigator or their health care provider for assistance. 

If you do not update your information by April 30^th, you may lose your coverage starting May 1^st.

“All Medicaid patients are currently being redetermined for eligibility. Don't wait until you are sick to make sure you have your Medicaid coverage. If you are currently on Medicaid, you must make sure that the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has your updated mailing address and contact information, and you must respond to any letters you receive in the mail in order to maintain your benefits,” said Rep. Frankel. “Unless you know that you have been requalified in the past six months, take action now to ensure you don’t lose your health care.”

To be eligible for Florida Medicaid, you must:

• Make less than $19,392 as a single-person household.
• Make less than $26,228 as a household of 2.
• Make less than $39,900 as a household of 4.

AND, you must also be one of the following:

• Pregnant;
• Blind;
• Responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger;
• 65 years of age or older; or
• Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability.

Patients who are no longer eligible for Medicaid may be eligible for other health care options. Patients can contact patient navigators for more information. Some providers may also be able to answer questions.

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