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| Florida KidCare | |
|---|---|
| Name | Florida KidCare |
| Type | Children's health insurance program |
| Established | 1998 |
| Administered by | Florida Agency for Health Care Administration |
| Website | Official site |
Florida KidCare Florida KidCare is Florida's publicly funded children's health insurance initiative created to provide comprehensive health coverage for uninsured children. It integrates multiple federal and state programs to offer preventive care, primary care, specialty services, and prescription benefits through coordinated enrollment and managed care arrangements. The program operates within a framework influenced by federal legislation and state agencies, partnering with healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and counties to reach eligible families.
Florida KidCare consolidates programs originally established under federal statutes such as the State Children's Health Insurance Program and interfaces with state entities including the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Children and Families. The initiative pools funding streams from the Title XXI of the Social Security Act, Medicaid (United States), and state appropriations to serve children across Miami-Dade County, Orange County, Florida, Hillsborough County, Florida, Duval County, Florida, and other jurisdictions. Stakeholders include provider networks like Jackson Health System, payers such as Molina Healthcare and Florida Blue, and advocacy groups including March of Dimes (United States), Children's Defense Fund, and United Way chapters.
Eligibility criteria align with federal and state statutes, including income thresholds tied to the Federal Poverty Level, residency requirements for United States citizens and qualified noncitizens, and age limits for minors. Enrollment pathways involve applications via the statewide call center, online portals maintained by the Florida Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration, school-based outreach through Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and community enrollment events coordinated with Catholic Charities USA, Baptist Health South Florida, and county health departments. Verification processes may reference documents from the Social Security Administration, local Department of Children and Families (Florida) offices, and the Internal Revenue Service for income verification.
Covered services encompass preventive care, immunizations consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention schedules, well-child visits recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, dental services often provided through networks like Aspen Dental Management, Inc. partners, mental health services coordinated with systems such as Nemours Children's Health and Broward Health, and pharmaceuticals listed on formularies used by managed care organizations including Amerigroup and Centene Corporation. Specialty referrals link children to tertiary centers such as Johns Hopkins Medicine affiliates and regional children's hospitals like St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and Tampa General Hospital. Benefits reflect requirements under federal law and state plan documents submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Administration is led by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration with policy roles for the Florida Legislature and implementation partnerships with private managed care organizations. Funding sources combine federal Title XXI allotments, Medicaid matching funds under the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages framework, and state General Revenue appropriations approved by the Governor of Florida and budget committees in the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives. Program audits and oversight involve the Office of Inspector General (United States Department of Health and Human Services), state auditors, and reporting to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Outreach strategies employ collaborations with Head Start, Early Head Start, school-based health centers, and community health centers like those in the Federally Qualified Health Center network. Public awareness campaigns leverage media outlets including the Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald, and public broadcasting through WFSU Public Media and WLRN (FM). Enrollment assistance is provided by community partners such as Legal Aid Society (Miami-Dade) for eligibility counseling, faith-based organizations like Southern Baptist Convention affiliates, and coalitions including the Children's Health Insurance Coalition working with county health departments.
Evaluations and reports by entities such as the Kaiser Family Foundation, Urban Institute, and state auditor studies analyze enrollment trends, access to care, and fiscal sustainability. Outcomes measured include immunization rates, preventive visit utilization, and reductions in uncompensated care at hospitals like Baptist Health (Jacksonville) and Baylor Scott & White Health affiliates. Criticisms have arisen from policy analysts, advocacy groups, and some lawmakers regarding outreach gaps in rural counties like Levy County, Florida and Glades County, Florida, enrollment churn documented by researchers at Georgetown University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and debates over eligibility expansions voiced in hearings before the Florida Legislature. Proposals for reform have been discussed in forums hosted by organizations such as the Milken Institute and Brookings Institution.
Category:Health insurance in Florida