Florida Medicaid Disenrollments: What Happened, Who Was Affected, and What to Do If You Lost Coverage

Florida experienced one of the largest Medicaid disenrollment events in its history when the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended in 2023, triggering a requirement for all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility for the first time in three years. Millions of Floridians had their coverage reviewed, and hundreds of thousands lost it. If you were among those disenrolled, or if you are currently at risk of losing Medicaid coverage, this guide explains what happened and what you can do.

What Is Florida Medicaid Disenrollment?

Medicaid disenrollment occurs when the state removes a person from Medicaid coverage, either because they are no longer eligible, or because they failed to complete the renewal process. Florida Medicaid is administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Every year, Medicaid recipients must renew their eligibility.

During the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 – March 2023), a federal rule known as ‘continuous enrollment’ prevented states from disenrolling anyone, even if they were no longer technically eligible. When that rule ended, states were required to conduct a ‘redetermination’ of every enrollee. In Florida, that process began April 1, 2023, triggering what became known as the Medicaid unwinding.

The Florida Medicaid Unwinding, What Happened in 2023–2024

Florida began redetermining eligibility for its approximately 5.5 million Medicaid enrollees starting April 2023. The state completed its redetermination process over 12–14 months, faster than most other states.

Three factors drove the scale and speed of Florida’s disenrollments:

• End of continuous enrollment: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ended the federal protection, requiring states to process all redeterminations within 12 months starting April 2023.
• Procedural vs. substantive disenrollments: A significant portion of Floridians removed from Medicaid were disenrolled for ‘procedural’ reasons, they did not respond to renewal notices or complete paperwork, even though many remained eligible. Outdated addresses, unclear notices, and short response windows contributed.
• Florida’s redetermination pace: Florida completed its unwinding faster than most states, which some policy analysts attributed to a limited outreach effort. floridapolicy.org tracked the process and documented the gap between disenrolled Floridians and those who were actually ineligible.

How Many Floridians Were Disenrolled?

1.9 2 million+ Floridians disenrolled during the 2023–2024 Medicaid unwinding

According to KFF tracking, Florida’s disenrollment total was among the highest in the country in absolute numbers, consistent with its large Medicaid population. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker, kff.org. KFF analysis found that in many states, the majority of procedurally disenrolled individuals were still eligible for Medicaid at the time of removal.

Who Is Most at Risk of Medicaid Loss in Florida?

While any Medicaid recipient can be disenrolled if they fail to complete renewal, two groups in particular overlap directly with DEF’s clients, and face specific risks that standard Medicaid guidance does not address.

SSI Recipients and Medicaid

As long as SSI eligibility is maintained, Florida Medicaid continues automatically. However, if an SSI recipient’s eligibility is disrupted, through an income or resource change, or through a disability redetermination by SSA, Medicaid can be suspended at the same time. An SSI disenrollment notice is not the same as a Medicaid administrative error. If you received a Medicaid loss notice and you receive SSI, your SSI status may be what changed. Contact DEF to evaluate whether your SSI eligibility has been disrupted and what steps are available.

SSDI Recipients in the Medicare Waiting Period

SSDI recipients receive Medicare after a 24-month waiting period, not Medicaid. However, dual-eligible claimants who receive both SSDI and SSI rely on Medicaid to cover Medicare cost-sharing. For those claimants, losing Medicaid during the unwinding meant losing a critical layer of coverage on top of Medicare.

SSDI claimants still in the 24-month Medicare waiting period who were relying on Medicaid through SSI eligibility were particularly exposed. Learn how Medicare and Medicaid work with disability benefits.

Why Did Florida Medicaid Disenrollments Happen?

The short answer: a three-year pause in eligibility reviews ended all at once. The longer answer involves federal policy, state implementation, and a gap between administrative procedure and real-world behaviour.

• Federal trigger: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ended the continuous enrollment protection that had been in place since March 2020. Starting April 1, 2023, states had 12 months to redetermine the eligibility of everyone on Medicaid.
• Procedural removals: Many Floridians were removed not because SSA or DCF determined they were ineligible, but because they did not respond to a renewal notice. Mail sent to outdated addresses, unclear paperwork, and short response windows all contributed to procedural disenrollments. KFF’s analysis of national data found that in many states, the majority of people disenrolled during the unwinding were still actually eligible for Medicaid.
• Florida’s pace: Florida processed its redeterminations faster than most states. Policy organizations including floridapolicy.org raised concerns about outreach gaps and the volume of procedurally disenrolled Floridians who remained eligible.

What to Do If You Lost Florida Medicaid Coverage

If you were disenrolled from Florida Medicaid, during the 2023–2024 unwinding or at any other time, these five steps apply. Act quickly on renewal notices: the sooner you respond, the more options you have.

1. Respond to All Renewal Notices Immediately

If you receive a Medicaid renewal notice, respond the same week. Failure to respond is the most common cause of procedural disenrollment in Florida.

Even if you believe nothing has changed, DCF requires an active response to renewal requests. If you moved since last enrolling, update your address with DCF immediately at MyFlorida.com/ACCESSFlorida. Do not wait for a second notice.

2. Reapply for Medicaid Through DCF

If you have already been disenrolled, you can reapply at any time at myflorida.com or by calling the DCF ACCESS helpline at 1-866-762-2237. If you were disenrolled procedurally, not for ineligibility, reapplication often restores coverage relatively quickly. You will need to provide current income and household information.

3. Check If You Qualify for SSI

If you are disabled, blind, or 65 or older with limited income and resources, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which automatically triggers Florida Medicaid eligibility upon approval.

Many Floridians who lost Medicaid during the unwinding were unaware that an SSI application could restore both monthly income support and Medicaid coverage simultaneously. Approval for SSI means automatic Medicaid. If you have a disabling condition and limited income, this path deserves evaluation.

See the section below: If You Lost Medicaid Because of SSI, DEF Can Help.

4. Explore Marketplace Coverage During the Gap

If you are not immediately eligible for Medicaid or SSI, losing Medicaid coverage triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Healthcare.gov marketplace plan. This applies even outside the standard open enrolment window. Premium tax credits may significantly reduce the cost depending on your income.

A marketplace plan is a bridge, not a long-term solution if you have a disabling condition, but it prevents a gap in coverage while an SSI application or Medicaid reapplication is in process.

5. Apply for Medicare Savings Programs If Eligible

If you are already on Medicare (through SSDI or age 65+), Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) can cover Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. These programs are administered through Florida DCF and are funded through Medicaid. Eligibility is income-based.

If You Lost Medicaid Because of SSI, DEF Can Help

SSI approval = automatic Florida Medicaid. If you have a disabling condition and limited income, an approved SSI claim restores both your monthly income and your Medicaid coverage.

If you lost Florida Medicaid and you believe your SSI eligibility may have changed, or if you have never applied for SSI but your income and resources are limited, Disability Experts of Florida can help. DEF assists Florida residents with:

• Applying for SSI (which restores Medicaid automatically upon approval)
• Appealing SSI denials or disrupted eligibility reviews
• Concurrent SSDI and SSI applications for eligible claimants
• Understanding how changes in disability status affect both SSI and Medicaid eligibility.

SSI applications are denied at high rates at the initial stage. Professional representation at the application and appeal stages significantly improves outcomes. DEF’s fee is 25% of back pay, capped at $9,200, nothing owed if not approved. There is no financial barrier to getting help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Medicaid Disenrollments

What is Florida Medicaid disenrollment?

Florida Medicaid disenrollment occurs when DCF removes a person from Medicaid coverage, either because they are no longer eligible or because they did not complete the required renewal process. Every Medicaid recipient must renew eligibility annually.

Why did so many Floridians lose Medicaid in 2023–2024?

When the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended in 2023, states were required to review Medicaid eligibility for all enrollees for the first time in three years, a process called ‘unwinding.’ Florida disenrolled over 1.9 million recipients during this period, many for procedural reasons (failure to respond to renewal notices) rather than actual ineligibility.

If I lost Medicaid in Florida, can I get it back?

Yes. You can reapply at any time at myflorida.com or by calling DCF ACCESS at 1-866-762-2237. If you were disenrolled procedurally, reapplication often restores coverage. If you may qualify for SSI, an approved SSI application restores Florida Medicaid automatically.

How does SSI relate to Florida Medicaid?

In Florida, SSI recipients are automatically enrolled in Medicaid. Active SSI status = active Medicaid coverage. If SSI eligibility is disrupted, Medicaid can be suspended simultaneously. Approved SSI applicants receive Florida Medicaid immediately upon approval, making SSI the most direct path to restoring both income support and Medicaid coverage for eligible disabled Floridians.

Can Disability Experts of Florida help me with my SSI or Medicaid situation?

DEF can help you apply for or appeal SSI, which automatically restores Florida Medicaid eligibility upon approval. DEF does not handle Medicaid administrative appeals directly, but addresses the underlying disability benefit that triggers Medicaid coverage. Free evaluation at (855) 777-0455.