Changes to Medicaid Coverage in Florida
In Florida, over 25% of individuals enrolled in major health plans have been removed from Medicaid over two years. After the pandemic led to an expansion of Medicaid, around 1.4 million residents in Florida have lost their Medicaid coverage during this unwinding process that is affecting states nationwide.
The Florida Department of Children and Families informed that those identified as ineligible for Medicaid are being guided towards other healthcare options, including the Healthy Kids program.
“Families of children who are found ineligible for Medicaid will be contacted directly by Healthy Kids,” a spokesperson explained. They also mentioned that those who might not have reapplied on time will have an additional 90 days to submit their applications. “If they are deemed eligible, their coverage will be reinstated retroactively to ensure no gaps in healthcare,” the spokesperson added.
Why This Matters
There are rising worries regarding how more uninsured individuals could adversely affect health outcomes and healthcare costs. Some people have lost Medicaid coverage as part of the unwinding process post-COVID, while others might access private insurance through their jobs. However, many are likely to find themselves without any options.
Experts caution that this could deter individuals from seeking necessary medical care, possibly leading to increased emergency visits and escalating healthcare costs. Chronic physical and mental health conditions could worsen as a result.
Background Information
Some states have broadened Medicaid access during the pandemic to help more Americans secure health insurance. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, enrollment has increased. The pandemic pushed states to keep Medicaid recipients enrolled, even amid changes in eligibility, until the protocols changed in March 2023.
Since March, Florida has begun a “rewind” process, during which many recipients have been removed from the program for a variety of reasons, including loss of eligibility and administrative errors. In March 2023, about 5 million people in Florida were covered by Medicaid; that number has dropped to approximately 3.7 million by March 2025, based on KFF data.
The change amounts to a loss of about 1.4 million individuals. While Florida’s rate of removal is quicker than in other large states like California and New York, Texas has seen a decline of around 1.8 million. Currently, the number of people on Medicaid is slightly higher than it was in February 2020, but the decrease over the two-year span shows about 27% have been removed from the program.
Different states show varying rates of Medicaid removal, influenced by how effectively they manage “procedural terminations,” which can result when people remain eligible but lose their benefits due to administrative issues. For instance, if an individual doesn’t receive the renewal form because they changed addresses, they could lose coverage unnecessarily.
Some states have implemented measures to minimize procedural terminations, letting registrants maintain their coverage without needing to take additional action or by allowing automated updates. Concerns grow that individuals losing Medicaid might struggle to find affordable insurance alternatives.
“Many who lost Medicaid know that they have no affordable options,” experts noted. The loss of Medicaid is often tied to increased financial stress as individuals face medical bills they can’t pay.
Expert Opinions
William Schopero, professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine: “Sudden loss of coverage raises concerns for two main reasons. First, it might indicate that many who lose coverage are still eligible but failed to renew due to administrative errors, like missing an email reminder.”
He emphasized that this loss could also strain safety-net providers catering to low-income populations. As uninsured patients increase, these providers may have to deliver more uncompensated care.
Florida Department of Children and Families: “As the state reworks Medicaid processes, we are committed to extensive outreach to ensure eligible individuals have the support they need to complete necessary steps.”
Looking Ahead
Predictions indicate that further enrollment reductions will continue in Florida and nationwide as the unwinding process progresses. With millions of people already losing health coverage, the questions surrounding healthcare access for low-income families persist.
