If you have children then you know just how important medical insurance actually is. Even if your child is healthy, you never know when their going to take a tumble on their back, or fall out of a tree. Minor injuries such as a small cut that requires stitches can cost hundreds of dollars. With that being said, every child should have medical insurance. If your child does not have insurance it’s your own fault. Regardless of what you income is, there is affordable if not free insurance available for your child.
Florida Kid Care is a medical insurance that allows almost every child to be seen by a Doctor. Applications for Florida Kid Care can be found online, or ask your child’s current pediatrician, or school official for information. Florida Kid Care is based on your yearly income with a sliding scale fee that usually ranges from $15.00 to $20.00 a month. If you are unemployed, or your yearly income is at or below poverty level, you will be denied Florida Kid Care, and referred to Florida Medicaid. The only reason Florida Kid Care will refer you to Florida Medicaid is because your child meets Medicaid requirements. If you are employed it never hurts to fill out an application, if your unemployed it is best to apply for Medicaid first to prevent any unnecessary delays in your child’s medical coverage.
You can apply for Florida Medicaid online, mailed in application, or by visiting your local Department Children and Families office. When you apply you will be asked several questions. On average it will take you an hour to complete the application. You will be asked about your employment status, your income (including child support), bank accounts, assets, monthly bills, and other personal information. It is important that you tell the truth, there is no reason to be embarrassed about you financial situation. You will also need to know you child’s Social Security number, an be a legal resident in the United States.
Once you have completed your Medicaid application it will be reviewed by a social worker. In 30 to 45 days you will receive a notice through postal mail letting you know whether or not your child has been approved. However, check you mail often. If at any point during the review period the social worker needs additional information they will mail you the request. After 30 days if you have not heard anything regarding your child’s Medicaid enrollment, your entitled to call the office to check on the status of your child’s application. You can also check the status of your child’s application online.
When you are approved your child will receive a Medicaid gold card. This is your child’s insurance card. You will also receive instructions on picking your child’s medical plan. You will need to call the number listed on the plan information in order to choose the plan you want. Once you pick a plan, you will need to find a Primary Dr. for your child. If your child’s Dr. accepts Medicaid chances are your child can continue seeing that Dr. If your child’s Dr. is currently accepting Medicaid patients, then the answer is yes. If your child’s current Dr. accepts Medicaid, but is not currently accepting new patients, then the Dr. will be contacted to see if they are willing to accept your child as a Medicaid Patient. Most Dr’s. will continue to see established patients even if they are not currently accepting new Medicaid patients. If your child does not currently have a Dr., the Dr. refuses to accept your child as a Medicaid patient, or your child’s Dr. does not accept Medicaid at all, then a new Dr must be chosen for you child. You will be given a list of Dr’s. in you area to choose from if your unable to find one on your own.
Medicaid works like any other medical insurance. You must show your card at all office visits. Medicaid is also accepted at all hospitals, and most pharmacies. Once you are accepted on Medicaid your child may see a Dr. for any sicknesses, or injuries at no cost to you. Your child will be able to see wonderful Dr’s, and receive the same care and treatment as patients with private insurances. Your child will not be discriminated against due to Medicaid benefits. There is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed about receiving medical care for your child through Medicaid.
