C.N. of Seminole County works hard to support her husband’s business, cares for her elderly mother, and is a mother of two. Despite her diligence to maintain her children’s health insurance, Florida’s Medicaid Redetermination process has left C.N.’s children uninsured and struggling to reenroll.
When C.N. began to receive notices that her children’s Medicaid would expire soon, she reached out to a
Healthcare.gov expert as she had done the prior eight years. However, unlike previous years, C.N. learned that Florida’s Department of Children & Families was implementing a new MyAccess system, requiring Medicaid recipients to create a new account. She was told that the deadline to reapply for Medicaid was October 31st, but that the system would not open until November 1st. In other words, although C.N. had initiated the renewal on time, a system error would prevent her from submitting the application to maintain her children’s coverage.
C.N. learned that her children’s coverage had been terminated when she got a call from their provider. Since that time, she has spent countless hours calling DCF, only to be placed on hold for extended periods of time. When she has been able to speak to a representative, the calls have dropped before her issues could be resolved.
“The entire system needs serious help,” C.N. says. “It’s not only terribly confusing, but very time consuming and frustrating.” Without a way to reestablish coverage, C.N. is increasingly concerned for her children who urgently need dental care. “It took over a year to find a dentist that takes Medicaid and now my children have no coverage,” C.N. explains. “I follow the rules, I stay on top of things, and now I am waiting Lord knows how long to get approval while my children’s teeth continue to rot away.” Even when their coverage is reestablished, C.N. knows her children could wait months for an appointment.
Since the Medicaid redetermination process began in April 2023, Florida has seen some of the highest disenrollment rates in the country. Many Floridians have abruptly lost coverage in the middle of treatments, scheduled surgeries and medications. Those seeking answers and re-enrollment are struggling to contact state agencies. Florida ranks 50th in the US for abandoned calls, and 49th for call time average.
If you or a family member are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage, you may have coverage options. Marketplace Navigators offer free, professional assistance understanding your options and selecting a healthcare plan. To connect with a qualified local Navigator, visit coveringflorida.org.
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