Florida KidCare and How It Works
Florida KidCare is the State of Florida’s high-quality, low-cost health insurance for children. Through its four partners, The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, The Agency for Health Care Administration, The Department of Children and Families, and The Department of Health.
Florida Healthy Kids offers health insurance for children ages 5 through 18. The Corporation is run by a Board of Directors that includes doctors, a dentist, hospital representatives, advocates, and state agency representatives.
Healthy Kids is designed to provide quality, affordable health insurance for families not eligible for Medicaid. Healthy Kids coverage includes doctor visits, immunizations, dental care, emergency care, hospital stays and much more. Most families pay just $15 or $20. Full-pay options also are available, making every Florida child ages 5 through 18 eligible.
Currently, more than 1.8 million Florida children are enrolled in Florida KidCare. Enrollment is open and families can apply online or call 1-888-540-KIDS (5437) to have an application mailed to them.
Most Florida Healthy Kids families pay just $15 or $20 per month-and some even pay nothing at all!
Monthly premiums depend on your household’s size and income. Families with income between 133 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($33,950 and $48,500 for a family of four) are eligible for subsidized coverage through Florida Healthy Kids. If you do not qualify for subsidized coverage, you may be eligible for the full pay option.
The Full Pay Program was created for families that do not have access to health insurance through their employer and/or have an income too high to be eligible for subsidized rates. The Full Pay Program provides another option to commercial health insurance that is specifically designed to meet the needs of children.
Costs
The Florida Healthy Kids Full Pay program is currently $153 per month per child and includes dental coverage. As of October 1, 2015 the following costs will be in effect:
Sunshine Health Stars Plus * $299 with dental * $284 without dental Sunshine Health Stars * $220 with dental * $205 without dental
Child Only Health Insurance Policy
Please be aware that if you do not qualify for subsidized premiums that before you accept the Full Pay Program you should explore the premiums of a child only policy which will range from $140 – $220 dependent on the insurance company that it is purchased from.