Don't be left without health insurance coverage

Ironically, devastating as it was to the health and general welfare of the community, COVID-19 was indirectly beneficial to Floridians who, because of their income levels, were ineligible to receive Medicaid benefits states offer to assist low -income residents

Dr.

Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

Prior to March 2022, when cases of COVID-19 began to impact Florida and the rest of the US, over 400,000 Floridians had no access to health insurance These unfortunate people did not earn enough to be eligible for insurance coverage available under the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, but too much to qualify for Medicaid benefits Although the ACA offered states significant subsidies to expand Medicaid, Florida governors since 2011 has stubbornly refused to expand Medicaid

Currently, Florida is one of only 12 states not to expand Medicaid to its deserving residents

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With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, under order from the Federal government, states stopped disenrolling people who weren't normally eligible for Medicaid, or who had not updated information re their eligibility This meant thousands of low-income families and individuals, including pregnant women and children has had access to healthcare provided by private practitioners and public health facilities for the past three years But this benefit is likely to end soon

In April 2023, states, including Florida, are expected to resume regular eligibility redeterminations and again disenroll those who prove to no longer be eligible for Medicaid

Also, additional federal Medicaid funding Florida have been receiving during the pandemic will be phased out over the course of 2023

According to Healthinsurance org Medicaid expansion in Florida grew from 3 8 million in March 2020, the start of the pandemic, to 5 5 million in November 2022

Although a process of verify eligibility for all these beneficiaries will be conducted over the next 12 months, it's estimated some 1,378,000 residents could be made ineligible for Medicaid since Florida has still not approved Medicaid Expansion

Florida Medicaid is currently undergoing the process of reaching out to people registered for Medicaid to update their eligibility information, and also advise them of the pending end of the special coverage offered during the pandemic

Medicaid beneficiaries are urged to respond to requests to update this information, so they do not suddenly find themselves without coverage

It does seem certain well over 400,000 Floridians will find themselves ineligible for any form of health insurance coverage when the Medicaid disenrollment process ends next year

This is a situation that should not be tolerated in Florida

Although the Republicanheavy Florida Legislature has not budged on its opposition to Medicaid Expansion, the community must express its discontent at this situation, and pressure their local Florida House Representatives and Senators, Democrats included, to do something practical to offer insurance coverage to those who are ineligible for Medicaid

The community is growing increasingly weary of politicians who make grand promises during their campaigns for elected office, but forget these promises when they get to their respective offices

If Medicaid benefits could be extended to low-income residents for the past three years, without any detrimental effect to Florida, why can't the extended benefit not continue? It just makes no logical sense

Meanwhile, they are options available to people who may not be eligible for Medicaid, should they be able to avail themselves of these options

One option is to revert to seeking assistance under Obamacare The federal government through its portal Healthcare gov is offering an extended enrollment opportunity from March 31,2023 to July 31, 2024 for people who lose Medicaid coverage during that period

Also, there may be some Medicaid recipients who having reached age 65 and over are now eligible to receive Medicare, the federal insurance program for American citizens age 65 and over Medicaid beneficiaries now eligible for Medicare will have a special enrollment window during which they can sign up for Medicare without a late enrollment penalty This window is open for six months after a beneficiary's Medicaid ends

It has also been borne out that several Medicare recipients are missing out on extra benefits because they either are unaware, or ignorant, of the Medicare Advantage program offered by several private health insurance companies in Florida Through Medicare Advantage patients receive significant additional coverage for medical co-payment fees, optician and dental care, and are able to afford visits to a variety of healthcare specialists, and undergo critical medical tests and procedures

South Floridians are urged to act responsibly in ensuring they and their family members have access to healthcare insurance Those who find themselves ineligible, should take immediate steps to explore possible options, including seeking assistance from members of the community and political representatives to ensure they have access to affordable healthcare when needed