You learn something new everyday.

What people like to term 'emergency Medicaid' is apparently pretty difficult to qualify for.  It's actually called Presumptive Disability.  This is where Medicaid is 'presuming' an applicant will be found disabled, simply based on the severity of the disability.  Examples would be end stage renal failure or terminal lung cancer.

The Florida Medicaid Medically Needy program will determine eligibility based on the severity of the disability and will impose a monthly 'co-share', which is based on the applicant's income.  This co-share may change from the month to month.  Until the Medicaid beneficiary meets this co-share each month, nothing will be covered by Medicaid.  For example, if a beneficiary's co-share is $500.00 for the month of May, the beneficiary must pay $500.00 in May before Medicaid is activated for May.  However, the first bill that exceeds that $500.00 will be paid in full by Medicaid.  So, if a beneficiary receives a prosthesis that costs $4000.00 on May 1st, (and the co-share is $500.00), Medicaid will cover the entire cost of the prosthesis and any other services after May 1st.  No, this does not make any sense. 

Also, if a person applies for Medicaid Medically Needy and SSI at the same time and the SSI is denied, the Medicaid Medically Needy application will also deny. 

Applicants should re-apply within 30 days of denial (or sooner!) to avoid having to re-apply with the Department of Children & Families (DCF) from scratch.  The best way to find out how to re-apply is to contact DCF directly.  Applicants can call 407-200-2257 to locate a local DCF office.