2014 Medicaid changes help some, hurt others

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 10-16-2013 | Marni Jameson

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For the poorest Floridians who rely on Medicaid for their health care, some big changes are coming in the new year that could affect whether they still qualify.

Others who currently don't get Medicaid may find that the new rules allow them to sign up.

The changes are all part of the Affordable Care Act and affect residents too poor to get a tax break on premiums through the health-care exchange.

So whether you apply this year or next could make a big difference.

"If you qualify now but won't under the new guidelines, sign up before Jan. 1," said Greg Mellowe, policy director of Florida CHAIN, a nonprofit whose mission is to make sure every Floridian has health coverage. "Conversely, if you don't qualify for Medicaid now, don't give up. Try again in the new year."

Currently, to qualify for Medicaid in Florida, nonworking parents are eligible if their monthly income is 19 percent of the federal poverty level or less, which for a family of three is about $3,700 a year, said Lawayne Salter of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

A working-parent household needs to make less than 50 percent of the poverty level, about $9,700 a year for a family of three, he said.

That's about to change

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'This "doughnut hole" was inadvertently created last year when the Supreme Court decided that states could not be required to expand Medicaid. Florida is among 26 states that opted not to expand its Medicaid coverage, said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a health-advocacy nonprofit.'

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...monthly income is 19 percent of the federal poverty level or less, which for a family of three is about $3,700 a year, said Lawayne Salter of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Betcha TANF, WICs, SNAP, EITC, Section 8 et al don't qualify for 'income'....