2025-05-28

How To Get Medicaid in Florida: What You Need To Know

Team Member

Abby Care

To get Medicaid in Florida, you’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements, gather important documents, apply, and choose a health plan that fits your needs.

Getting Medicaid in Florida can feel overwhelming at first, but understanding the steps makes it easier to access the care and support you or your loved one needs. This process can be especially tough for many families and individuals trying to find affordable healthcare, but Medicaid can offer meaningful relief when it’s needed most.

This program provides essential medical care to many Floridians who qualify so they can access necessary care without worrying too much about costs. In this article, we’ll explain the steps to get coverage so you can easily apply and enroll in Florida Medicaid.

Step 1: Check If You Qualify

First, it’s usually helpful to find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid in Florida before you apply. You need to meet a few important requirements to qualify.

Eligibility Criteria

Here’s what the program considers to decide if you qualify:

How Much You Earn: Your income must fall within a certain percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This percentage varies depending on the number of people in your household and the type of Medicaid program you are applying for.
Your Family Size: How many people live with you.
Your Age: This can affect what kind of Medicaid you might get.
Disability Status: If you or someone in your family has a disability.
Citizenship: You need to be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements.

Who Can Get Medicaid?

Medicaid is designed to help various groups of people, particularly those who need it most. Typically, you can get Medicaid if you are on a tight budget, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements.‍

The program also covers children, pregnant women, and older adults, especially seniors who have limited income. Additionally, those with disabilities can often get Medicaid to help cover their healthcare needs.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, you can visit the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) website to check and start the application process.

Step 2: Get Your Documents Ready

Once you are sure that you qualify, it’s time to gather all the necessary documents. Here’s what you need:

Identification Documents

You’ll need to prove who you are using your birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, or social security number.

Income Verification

To show how much you earn, you’ll need recent pay stubs from your job or your latest tax returns. If you receive Social Security benefits, you’ll need your Social Security statement that shows how much you get.

Asset Information

You’ll also need to share some information about what you own. You can use your recent bank statements, a copy of the deed to your home (if you own a home), or your car registration (if you own one).

Step 3: Apply for Medicaid

With all your documents ready, the next step is to apply for Medicaid. There are different ways you can apply, so choose one that’s convenient for you.

Ways to Apply

Online: Visit Florida’s Public Benefits and Assistance page to fill out your application online. This is usually the quickest way to apply for Medicaid.
By Phone: You can also apply by calling the DCF at their toll-free number, 1-866-762-2237.
By Mail: If you prefer, you can download and print the application. Carefully fill it out and mail it in.

What Happens Next?

Once you submit your application, all you have to do is wait to hear back. DCF will review your application and let you know if you qualify. This might take a few weeks, so be patient.

Step 4: Complete Any Required Interviews or Assessments

Sometimes, an interview or assessment might be necessary to process your application, especially if you have a complex case or are applying for multiple benefits. Don’t worry, though. It is an extra step to make sure everything is in order.

Interviews

Some people, especially those applying for multiple benefits, might need to have a short interview. This is a chance for DCF to ask a few more questions and make sure they have all the right information.

Assessments

Depending on the type of Medicaid program you’re applying for, Florida might need to take a close look at your situation. For example, if you’re applying for nursing home care or home and community-based services (HCBS), you will likely need a Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) assessment. This makes sure you get the right kind of care.

If you are applying because of a disability, the Disability Determination Unit (DDU) will likely review your medical records. They may ask for more information or evaluations to make sure you qualify for the care you need.

What to Bring

If you do need an interview or assessment, make sure to bring all the documents you used for your application. This will help verify your information and make the process smoother.

Remember, these interviews and assessments are all part of the process to ensure that you or a loved one get the support that’s right for you or them.

Step 5: Choose a Medicaid Managed Care Plan

Once you apply and are approved for Medicaid, you need to choose a managed care plan. This is an important step because it will determine how you receive your healthcare services.

Plan Options

In Florida, Medicaid offers several types of managed care plans through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program. This program includes three main components:

Managed Medical Assistance (MMA): This comprehensive program covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescribed medications, and more.
Long-term care (LTC): This option provides services such as nursing facility care, assisted living, and home care.

Conclusion

If you or a loved one struggles with the costs of healthcare, these steps on how to get Medicaid in Florida can help you access affordable and quality medical care. At Abby Care, we understand that it can feel overwhelming to sort through all the steps to get Medicaid. This is why we are here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help with the steps outlined above.