Immigrant families in Florida, who may still qualify for Medicaid, are raising alarms about coverage cancellations, seemingly incorrect denials, and notifications that fail to clearly explain decision-making processes.
A recent investigation by The Florida Trib, released this Thursday, documents these issues through accounts from affected individuals, family members, and legal experts specializing in healthcare access.
Impact of New Federal Restrictions on Immigrant Families
The complaints arise as Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF) implements new federal Medicaid restrictions targeting certain immigrants. Although some individuals have legitimately lost eligibility, interviewed lawyers warn that others might be losing coverage due to errors in verifying their immigration status or processing their files.
One highlighted case involves Khem Raj Poudel, a 74-year-old permanent resident living in Marion County. According to the report, he received three Medicaid denials in 2026, despite meeting the eligibility criteria established by DCF, as argued by his attorneys.
Poudel, who was granted asylum in the United States in 2019 and later obtained permanent residency, was receiving Medicaid through the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program until August. He lost this benefit when the applicable time limit for certain asylum recipients was reached. However, this SSI termination did not necessarily prevent him from accessing Medicaid through another category.
Challenges Faced by Families and Legal Experts
When Poudel's family attempted to secure Medicaid coverage, they received conflicting responses: two notifications claimed he failed to meet citizenship requirements, while another cited issues related to income or household composition. His daughter, Anamika Bennett, told the media that the family has been covering medical expenses while trying to resolve the matter.
The Florida Health Justice Project's attorneys maintain that Poudel should qualify for Medicaid as a permanent resident who previously received asylum, potentially exempting him from the five-year waiting period that applies to other green card holders. The family has filed an appeal and a written inquiry with DCF. As of October 14, they had not received a response, according to the investigation.
Complexities in Medicaid Notifications and Appeals
The investigation also details the case of Leticia, a Brazilian-origin young woman from Boca Raton, who lost Medicaid coverage after turning 19 on September 29. Her family is in an ongoing immigration process that has yet to provide a category confirming her eligibility as an adult. This case highlights a crucial difference: the loss of coverage might align with new age and immigration status rules, though her mother claims they received no formal notice explaining the decision.
Attorney Lynn Hearn, legal director of the Florida Health Justice Project, highlighted that their organization is addressing numerous cancellations deemed erroneous, particularly among minors whose eligibility should not have been altered by immigration reform. Hearn criticized the content of state-issued notices, stating that some fail to specify the immigration status recorded by DCF or the status required to maintain coverage. Other families reportedly claim to have received no communication at all.
The problem is particularly sensitive as individuals might interpret a denial as final without understanding if it resulted from incorrect immigration classification, missing documents, or an actual loss of a legal requirement. Jared Nordlund, policy director for Florida at UnidosUS, noted in the investigation that the complexity of new categories could lead to classification errors by officials.
Despite multiple requests for comments, the DCF did not respond to The Florida Trib, leaving the investigation without an official explanation from the agency regarding the individual cases reported.
Understanding Medicaid Eligibility Amidst New Restrictions
The difficulties have emerged following new federal Medicaid restrictions that took effect on October 1. As explained at the time, certain immigrants who previously qualified for coverage no longer meet the immigration criteria, although the law maintains specific exceptions.
Eligible non-citizen groups include legal permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and certain individuals covered by free association agreements with the United States. The DCF confirms these categories on its official Medicaid information page, also noting that children aged 18 or younger who legally reside in Florida retain an eligibility pathway under special state-adopted rules.
For Cubans, this distinction is crucial: merely having Cuban nationality does not automatically qualify one for Medicaid. The Cuban/Haitian entrant category has a specific legal definition and must be verifiable through appropriate immigration documentation. Additionally, other program requirements, such as income, residency, and coverage type, remain applicable.
The situation for Cubans with I-220A is also subject to individual evaluation. Previous analyses on immigration exceptions noted that this document alone does not equate to parole nor guarantee eligibility, but neither does it automatically preclude meeting the criteria for Cuban/Haitian entrant.
The DCF uses the federal SAVE system to verify immigration status. If unable to verify electronically, the agency may request additional documentation from the beneficiary. Thus, receiving a letter does not necessarily mean a person has permanently lost their right to coverage.
Individuals receiving a notice can review its content on MyACCESS, Florida's official benefits portal, check the reason indicated by DCF, and provide requested documents within the specified timeframe. If the decision seems incorrect, an administrative process exists to contest it. The DCF's Appeals Hearing Section states Medicaid beneficiaries have 90 days from the notification to request a fair hearing.
Requests can be submitted via the official hearing request procedure, by email to appeal.hearings@myflfamilies.com, or by phone at 850-488-1429. The 90-day period pertains to the right to request a hearing and does not ensure continued medical coverage throughout that time. Maintaining benefits during an appeal depends on additional rules and circumstances.
Furthermore, DCF clarifies that if a request is denied due to missing necessary information, submitting those documents within 90 days may allow for a new evaluation without filing another application. This procedure differs from the appeals hearing and does not necessarily apply to all cancellation reasons.
Key Questions About Medicaid Denials for Immigrants in Florida
Why are immigrant families in Florida losing Medicaid coverage?
Immigrant families are experiencing coverage losses due to new federal Medicaid restrictions, errors in verifying immigration status, or processing issues. Some may still qualify but are incorrectly denied coverage.
What can families do if they receive an incorrect Medicaid denial?
Families can review the denial notice on MyACCESS, provide any requested documents within the specified timeframe, and request a fair hearing within 90 days if they believe the decision to be incorrect.
What are the eligibility requirements for immigrants to receive Medicaid in Florida?
Eligibility requirements include being a legal permanent resident, a Cuban/Haitian entrant, or covered by specific agreements with the U.S. Other factors like income and residency also play a role in determining eligibility.