Florida Medicaid serves approximately 5 million Floridians—children, pregnant women, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. The program has undergone significant changes in recent years, from post-pandemic redeterminations to managed care restructuring. Here's what's new in 2026 and how it affects current and prospective beneficiaries.
Medicaid Redeterminations: Ongoing Impact
The COVID-era continuous enrollment protections that prevented Medicaid terminations ended in 2023. Florida was among the first states to begin redeterminations, and the process continued into 2026. Key facts:
- Millions of Floridians had their Medicaid eligibility reviewed
- Many were disenrolled due to income exceeding eligibility thresholds or administrative errors (incorrect addresses, outdated documentation)
- Former Medicaid enrollees who lost coverage can often transition to ACA marketplace plans with a Special Enrollment Period
- Those who lost coverage due to administrative errors may be able to request reinstatement
If you or a family member was disenrolled from Florida Medicaid, review the notice carefully. If you believe the disenrollment was in error, you have the right to appeal.
Florida Medicaid Managed Care Plans
Most Florida Medicaid enrollees are covered through managed care plans—private insurers contracted to provide Medicaid benefits. In 2026, Florida's Medicaid managed care contracts were renewed or rebid in some regions, resulting in plan changes for some enrollees.
If your Medicaid managed care plan changed, you should have received notice of the transition, including how to maintain access to current providers during any transition period. Contact the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) if you didn't receive notice or have questions.
If you or your family lost Medicaid coverage due to redetermination, losing that coverage is a qualifying event for a Special Enrollment Period on the ACA marketplace. You have 60 days to enroll in a marketplace plan. At lower income levels, you may qualify for significant subsidies or cost-sharing reductions.
Long-Term Care Medicaid Changes
Florida's Long-Term Care Medicaid program (serving elderly and disabled Floridians who need nursing home or home and community-based services) has its own regulatory cycle. In 2026, Florida continued its managed long-term care program, with SMMC (Statewide Medicaid Managed Care) plans operating across the state's regions.
Children's Medicaid
Children's Medicaid eligibility (up to 100% FPL) and FL KidCare (CHIP, up to 200% FPL) continued without significant eligibility changes in 2026. The redetermination process affected children's Medicaid enrollees—families should verify their children's current enrollment status through ACCESS Florida and re-enroll promptly if coverage lapsed.
What Hasn't Changed: No Medicaid Expansion
Florida did not expand Medicaid in 2026, continuing to be one of roughly ten states without expansion. Adults without children and without disabilities earning below 100% FPL remain in the coverage gap. For more context, see our article on Florida's Medicaid expansion situation.
If you have questions about current Florida Medicaid eligibility or your options after losing coverage, get a free consultation from a licensed Florida advisor. Call .