In December 2018, federal officials approved a state request that will provide Floridians less time to apply for Medicaid coverage if they want healthcare costs retroactively covered. The change means those who qualify for the safety-net program now have up to thirty (30) days of retroactive eligibility once they qualify for Medicaid, as opposed to the original ninety (90) days. After approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the safety net program, the 30-day policy will go into effect Feb. 1 and remain in place until June 30 unless state lawmakers vote to extend the change.
The state Agency for Health Care Administration requested the policy change after lawmakers voted to support shortening the retroactive eligibility period. State Medicaid officials had previously estimated the eligibility would affect about 39,000 people annually — with pregnant women and children exempt — and amount to $98 million. The agency also contended that the change would not harm applicants so long as they submitted their paperwork on time.
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