Using Your Florida Medicaid Benefits

Florida separates Medicaid eligibility from plan administration. DCF and MyACCESS decide eligibility. Your Statewide Medicaid Managed Care health plan handles most providers, authorizations, transportation and benefit questions. Choice Counseling helps with plan selection and changes. [FL-U1, FL-U2]

Having Medicaid does not tell you which doctor accepts your plan, how to arrange a ride, whether an expanded benefit applies, or how to challenge a denial. Going to the right agency or plan prevents delay.

This applies once you are enrolled or assigned in Florida Medicaid managed care. Most recipients receive services through SMMC. [FL-U1]

Managed Medical Assistance plans cover doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, mental health and non-emergency medical transportation, plus expanded benefits. Dental is administered separately through dental plans. [FL-U1, FL-U2]

Plan enrollment continues while you are Medicaid eligible. New members generally have a 120-day plan-change period after the effective date, then annual open enrollment; outside those windows, an approved for-cause reason may be needed. [FL-U5]

Choice Counseling and language assistance are free. Covered transportation and services follow program rules — do not pay privately before checking network and authorization.

Call plan Member Services for benefits, providers, authorizations, From the Start and transportation. Call Choice Counseling at 1-877-711-3662 for plan selection or change. Use provider search, then call the office to confirm your exact plan and new-patient status. [FL-U1, FL-U2, FL-U6]

Your Medicaid ID, plan card, DCF case information, and any denial or authorization notices. Transportation usually requires the appointment location and time plus advance notice.

A directory listing does not guarantee current availability. Expanded benefits differ by plan unless AHCA has aligned them statewide. Plan changes are time-limited. CMS Plan members are scheduled to transition to Molina on October 1, 2026, so recheck provider and contact information. [FL-U2, FL-U5, FL-U7]

From the Start runs through your plan, DCF handles eligibility, Healthy Start and CONNECT sit outside the plan, and dental has separate customer service.

Use the statewide provider search plus your plan directory, then confirm directly with the office. Arrange transportation through the plan line; for fee-for-service, use the current AHCA NEMT broker information.

Choice Counseling provides free interpreter and language assistance, and DCF provides accessibility and language support. Request an interpreter and separately assess whether care is culturally responsive.

If DCF ends your eligibility, read the notice for appeal, renewal and other coverage options. If your plan denies or reduces a service, use the plan appeal and the Medicaid fair hearing. [FL-U8]