Low-cost and no-cost health coverage for Florida children through Florida KidCare and Medicaid — and help figuring out which program your family qualifies for.
One program, four doors
Florida KidCare is an umbrella covering four programs, each aimed at a different age or situation. No child is ever turned away — if your income is too high for subsidized coverage, you can still enroll in a full-pay plan:
- Medicaid for Children — ages 0–4, for low-income families.
- MediKids — ages 1–5.
- Florida Healthy Kids — ages 5–18.
- CMS Health Plan — children with special medical needs.
What it costs and what it covers
For low-to-moderate-income households, KidCare runs $0–$20 per child per month; full-pay plans run around $275 per child per month depending on age and county. Florida Medicaid for children covers doctor visits and preventive care, dental and vision, prescriptions, mental and behavioral health, hospital and emergency care, and specialist referrals.
Lost Medicaid or KidCare recently?
If your child (or you) recently lost Medicaid or KidCare coverage, or were denied, that's a qualifying event that can open a Special Enrollment Period — a limited window to enroll in a Marketplace or private plan. If you've received a termination notice, don't wait: the window is time-limited, and we can help you move quickly.
Coverage for the whole family
Often the kids qualify for KidCare or Medicaid while the parents are best served by a subsidized Marketplace plan. We look at the whole household so everyone ends up covered — and you're not paying for coverage a child could get at little or no cost. (Mere Benefits is a private agency and isn't affiliated with Florida KidCare, Medicaid, or DCF; we don't process government applications, but we help you understand your options and find the right next step.)
This page is educational and not medical, tax, or legal advice; figures change and should be confirmed for your situation.