Getting care in Florida without insurance

Who can get Florida Medicaid

In Florida, the Department of Children and Families, often called DCF, decides who is eligible for Medicaid. The state says three groups may qualify if they meet income and asset rules. Assets are things you own, like savings.

• Children and families, including pregnant women.
• People who get Supplemental Security Income, a monthly payment for people with disabilities or very low income.
• Seniors age 65 and older, and people who are blind or have a disability.

Parents with children at home qualify only if their income is very low. Adults under 65 who are not disabled and have no minor children generally cannot qualify, no matter how little they earn. The limits change, and the sources we read gave different numbers. Please ask DCF for today's limits.

Florida and Medicaid expansion

Florida has not expanded Medicaid, so it did not extend coverage to most low-income adults the way many states did. KFF, a health policy research group, lists Florida as a state that has not adopted expansion, as of October 2026.

Some Floridians fall into a coverage gap because of this. They earn too little to get help paying for a Marketplace plan, yet they still do not qualify for Medicaid. Our guide to the Medicaid gap explains what to do.

How to apply for Florida Medicaid

Applications go through a system called ACCESS Florida. The state calls applying online the best way to apply. You can also call DCF toll free at 1-866-762-2237, or apply on paper at a local service center.

There is a separate door for children. Florida KidCare covers children, and you can call 1-888-540-5437 or visit its website. If you lived in another state and had Medicaid there, you must apply again in Florida.

If Florida turns down your Medicaid application

You have the right to appeal any decision about your Medicaid application. The state calls this a fair hearing, and you must ask for one within 90 days of the date on the notice. You can ask by phone at (850) 488-1429.

Read the notice closely, because it says why you were denied. Keep every letter the state sends you. While you wait, a community health center or a direct primary care doctor can see you for a fee you can plan for.

Can I buy a Marketplace plan in Florida?

Florida uses the federal Marketplace on HealthCare.gov. Many people get help paying the monthly cost, and the amount depends on income. If you lost coverage at work, our guide on what to do after losing insurance explains how fast you need to act. Our no-insurance guide compares every choice side by side.

Finding a community health center in Florida

The Florida Association of Community Health Centers is the state group for these clinics, which charge by income. Florida is a large state, so the nearest center may be in a different county than you expect. The federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has a free Find a Health Center tool where you type in your city or zip code. When you call, ask what the visit would cost and what to bring to show your income.

Our guide to community health centers shows what they offer.

How can I check that a Florida doctor is licensed?

The Florida Department of Health runs a Verify a License tool for health care workers. It is run by the Medical Quality Assurance division, which licenses doctors, nurses and other health workers. You can find it by looking up the Florida Department of Health Verify a License search on the web.

If the name does not appear, ask the office how the name is spelled on the license. Check before you send money to a new practice.

Direct primary care in Florida

A direct primary care practice charges one flat monthly fee for regular visits. Florida is on the Direct Primary Care Coalition's list of states with a direct primary care law. Florida is big, so a practice near you may or may not exist. Our directory lets you search by location.

This kind of membership is not insurance. It will not cover the emergency room, a hospital stay or surgery. Our direct primary care guide explains what a membership usually covers, and the cost guide helps you plan.

Emergencies in Florida

For a sudden, serious problem, call 911 or drive to the closest emergency room. Federal law says the emergency room has to examine and stabilize you whether or not you have insurance. If a bill comes later, our guide to hospital financial assistance shows how to ask for help, and our emergency room guide explains your rights.