The basic steps to get Medicaid in Florida

To get Medicaid in Florida, you submit an application to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), either online through the ACCESS Florida portal, by mail, or in person at your local DCF office. DCF reviews your household income, assets, and citizenship status against Florida's current rules, then sends you a decision letter within 30 days in most cases. If you are found to meet the requirements, your coverage begins on the first day of the month you applied or the month DCF approves you, whichever is later.

The process itself is straightforward, but the rules about who qualifies change based on your age, disability status, and household income. Florida uses federal poverty guidelines to set income limits, and those limits are different for children, working adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. You do not need to guess whether you may have access to — DCF will tell you during the review.

Most people start by going to myflorida.gov/accessflorida, creating an account, and filling out the online form. If you do not have internet access or prefer to apply in person, you can visit your county's DCF office or call 1-866-762-2237 to request a paper application by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • You apply through ACCESS Florida online, by mail, or at your local DCF office, and DCF makes a decision within 30 days in most cases.
  • Florida's income limits depend on your age and household size — children, working adults, seniors, and people with disabilities have different thresholds.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, and your Social Security number for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage.
  • If you are denied, you can ask for a fair hearing within 90 days of the denial letter, and DCF must tell you how to request one in that letter.

What documents you need before you apply

Gather these documents before you start your application: a photo ID or birth certificate to prove who you are, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, tax return, or W-2), and proof of your current income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer if you are self-employed). If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will also need proof of your immigration status — a green card, visa, work permit, or other document showing your legal status.

You will also need proof of where you live, such as a lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement with your name and current address. If you are applying for a child, bring their birth certificate and Social Security card. If anyone in your household receives child support or alimony, bring documentation of those amounts.

You do not need to have all these documents in hand before you start the online application — you can submit what you have and upload or mail the rest later. But having them ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance DCF will ask you to send them again.

Income limits and household size rules

Florida's Medicaid income limits are set as a percentage of the federal poverty level and change each year. For 2024, the limits vary widely depending on your category. Children under 19 can have higher household income than working adults and still may have access to. Seniors and people with disabilities may have different limits than working-age adults without disabilities. Pregnant people have their own income threshold, which is typically higher than the limit for working adults.

Your household size includes you, your spouse if you are married, and any children under 19 who live with you. Income counts as wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, and most other money coming into your household. Some income does not count — for example, the first $65 per month of unearned income and the first $65 per month of earned income are excluded for most people.

The easiest way to know if your income fits is to enter your household size and income into the ACCESS Florida online form and let DCF calculate it. If you are close to the limit, apply anyway — DCF's calculation is what matters, not your own estimate.

How long approval takes and what happens next

DCF is required to make a decision within 30 days of receiving your complete application. If you submit your application online and upload all required documents at the same time, you are more likely to get a decision within that window. If DCF needs more information from you, they will send you a notice asking for it, and you usually have 10 days to respond before they deny your application for not providing what they asked for.

Once you are approved, your coverage begins on the first day of the month you applied or the first day of the month DCF approves you, whichever is later. You will receive a Medicaid card in the mail within one to two weeks. You can use your coverage at any doctor, hospital, or pharmacy that takes Florida Medicaid before your card arrives — just give them your Social Security number and date of birth.

Your Medicaid coverage lasts for 12 months from the date it starts, unless your circumstances change. You must report changes in income, household size, or address to DCF within 30 days, or your coverage could be canceled. You can report changes online through ACCESS Florida, by phone, or in person.

What to do if you are denied

If DCF denies your application, the denial letter will explain why and tell you how to request a fair hearing. You have 90 days from the date of the denial letter to ask for a hearing. At a fair hearing, you can present documents and explain why you believe DCF made a mistake. You can bring someone with you to help — a family member, friend, or legal aid attorney.

Many denials happen because DCF did not receive all the documents you sent, or because you did not respond to a request for more information in time. If that is what happened, you can reapply immediately and make sure to submit everything DCF asks for. If your income or household situation has changed since the denial, mention that in your new application.

If you cannot afford a lawyer for a fair hearing, contact your local legal aid office. Florida has several legal aid organizations that help low-income people with Medicaid appeals at no cost. Your DCF office can give you the phone number for legal aid in your county.

Medicaid coverage for specific groups in Florida

Florida covers children under 19 whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Pregnant people can get coverage if their household income is at or below 196 percent of poverty. Seniors age 65 and older and people who are blind or disabled can get coverage under different rules that sometimes allow higher income and assets than other groups.

Working adults without children or disabilities have more limited coverage in Florida. The state did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so working adults earning above the poverty level generally do not may have access to unless they are pregnant, caring for a child, or have a disability. If you are a working adult and do not think you may have access to, apply anyway — the rules are complex and DCF's information is what counts.

If you are over 65, you may be able to get both Medicare and Medicaid (called "dual may be able to access"). Medicaid can help pay your Medicare premiums and cover services Medicare does not pay for. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or call 1-800-963-5337 to learn more about dual coverage.

Keeping your Medicaid active and reporting changes

Your Medicaid coverage lasts 12 months from the date it starts. Before your coverage ends, DCF will send you a renewal notice asking you to confirm that your information is still correct. You can renew online through ACCESS Florida, by mail, or in person. If you do not renew before your coverage ends, you will lose Medicaid and have to reapply.

You must report any changes in your income, household size, address, or citizenship status within 30 days. If your income increases above the limit, your coverage will end. If your household size changes because someone moves in or out, that affects your income limit. You can report changes online, by phone at 1-866-762-2237, or in person at your local DCF office.

If your circumstances change and you think you no longer may have access to, report it anyway. DCF will review your case and let you know if your coverage continues or ends. Do not wait until DCF finds out on their own — reporting changes yourself keeps your record accurate and prevents overpayments that you might have to repay later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Medicaid if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, if you have a valid immigration status. Florida Medicaid covers lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and people with certain other legal statuses. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for regular Medicaid, but Florida does cover emergency medical services for anyone regardless of status. Bring your immigration documents when you apply.

What if my income is just above the limit?

Apply anyway. DCF counts income in a specific way — some income is excluded, and household size affects the limit. You may may have access to even if your gross income seems too high. The only way to know is to submit an application and let DCF calculate it.

How do I check the status of my application?

Log into your ACCESS Florida account online to see the status of your application. You can also call 1-866-762-2237 or visit your local DCF office. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready when you call.

Can I use my Medicaid in another state?

No. Medicaid is a state program, and your Florida Medicaid card only works in Florida. If you move to another state, you must apply for that state's Medicaid. If you travel out of state temporarily, your coverage does not follow you except in emergencies.

What happens if I do not report a change in my income?

If DCF discovers you did not report a change and you were paid Medicaid benefits you were not supposed to receive, you may have to repay that money. It is always better to report changes yourself. If your income increased, report it — your coverage will end, but you will not owe money back.