Florida provides health insurance for children under the Florida KidCare program. The program offers uninsured children health-care coverage under one of four health-insurance programs based on the child's age and other eligibility requirements. Each program supplies children comprehensive health insurance benefits. As of July 2010, more than 1.8 million children were enrolled in Florida KidCare.
About
KidCare comprises four health-insurance programs. They include Medikids, Healthy Kids, Children's Medical Services Network and Medicaid. Medikids and Healthy Kids provide the same basic benefits, but serve different age groups. Eligible children ages 1 through 4 enroll in Medikids. Healthy Kids serves children ages 5 through 18. Special-needs children from birth through age 18 receive health services from the Children's Medical Services Network. KidCare Medicaid is a public-private health benefit program that serves poor children from birth to age 18.
Covered Medical Benefits
KidCare provides comprehensive benefits to eligible children. Benefits include routine doctor visits, vaccinations, hospitalization, surgery, dental, hearing and vision, medical emergencies and mental health services.
Eligibility
KidCare serves uninsured children under age 19. The program is not open to children of state employees. United States citizens and qualified noncitizens can apply. A family's income, in addition to a child's age, determines in which program the child is eligible to enroll. KidCare Medicaid serves children from families with income at or slightly higher than the federal poverty level. Families making too much to qualify for KidCare Medicaid receive services under Healthy Kids or Medikids, depending on the child's age. The Children's Medical Services Network provides coverage to special-needs children meeting citizenry and age requirements.
Cost
Families with children enrolled in KidCare Medicaid pay nothing for coverage.
Families typically pay a small monthly premium for Healthy Kids and other KidCare programs. As of 2010, the majority of families enrolled in these programs paid a monthly premium of $15 to $20. In some cases, a copayment is charged to the family at the time services are delivered.
Reduced premium rates may be available for families as long as the children do not qualify for Medicaid.
Enrollment
Florida offers parents several ways to enroll or re-enroll their children in KidCare and make monthly payments if required. The state requires families to re-enroll their children every year. Families interested in re-enrolling their children can call 888-540-5437 and speak with a caseworker to update their information. Year-around enrollment is also offered online at the KidCare or Healthy Kids websites. To complete the application, you need information from your family's recent tax return, income statements, pay stub from the prior four weeks, the cost to add a child to your employer-sponsored health plan (if applicable) and your child's Social Security number. It generally takes four to six weeks to process the application. Your child receives coverage when his eligibility is verified, and the first month's premium payment is paid to the state when required. Payment is accepted by credit card online, over the telephone and by mail. In addition, Healthy Kids and KidCare allow parents to make payments via direct deposit--automatic, regular withdrawals from a checking or savings account.
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