Lost Medicaid in Florida? What to Do Now (October 2026)
Updated October 23, 2026 · By the Arte Insurance team · 6-minute read
If your Medicaid ended on September 30 or in October 2026, you generally have 90 days from that date to enroll in a Marketplace (ObamaCare) plan with a Special Enrollment Period. On top of that, from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, anyone who qualifies can enroll for 2027; pick a plan by December 15 and coverage starts January 1. If you think your Medicaid was ended by mistake, you can ask for a hearing.
Updated: October 23, 2026 · Source: HealthCare.gov and CMS
Starting October 1, 2026, a 2025 federal law limits Medicaid for many lawfully present immigrants. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which runs Medicaid, identified nearly 177,000 immigrants who would no longer qualify. If you or someone in your family got that letter, here is what you can do.
Who lost Medicaid in Florida on October 1?
According to DCF and Florida news reports:
- No longer eligible: many refugees and asylees without a green card, people with humanitarian parole (other than Cuban or Haitian nationals) and trafficking survivors, among others.
- Can still qualify, if they meet the other rules: U.S. citizens, green card holders, Cuban or Haitian entrants, COFA migrants, children 18 and under who are lawfully residing, and lawfully residing pregnant women.
- Emergency Medicaid still covers certain medical emergencies for people who don’t qualify because of their status. It isn’t the same as regular Medicaid.
People who didn’t send the documents their letter asked for in time may have had coverage end on September 30.
I’m Cuban or have a green card and still lost it. Now what?
It may be a mistake. Florida news outlets have reported green card holders and children who lost Medicaid even though they still qualified.
- Read your DCF letter and check your MyACCESS account (myaccess.myflfamilies.com): the date of the letter, the end date and the reason.
- Send your documents the way the letter says (MyACCESS, mail or fax), or call DCF at (850) 300-4323 or 1-866-762-2237.
- Ask for a fair hearing if you disagree: generally within 90 days of the date on the letter. You can use DCF’s online form, email [email protected], call, or visit a DCF office.
- Get legal help. The Florida Health Justice Project helps with Medicaid appeals. For questions about your status, talk to an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative. We don’t give legal or immigration advice.
Keep the letter: if you enroll in the Marketplace, you may be asked for it as proof.
Can I get ObamaCare after losing Medicaid?
To buy a Marketplace plan you need to live in Florida, be a U.S. citizen or national or be lawfully present, not be incarcerated and not have Medicare. See all the 2027 ObamaCare requirements.
Losing Medicaid gives you a Special Enrollment Period. On HealthCare.gov, you have 90 days after your Medicaid ends. If it ended September 30, those 90 days run to late December. See our Special Enrollment Period guide.
- When coverage starts: generally the first day of the month after you pick a plan. Pick one in October and it can start November 1.
- Proof: you may be asked for your DCF letter. You have 30 days to send it, and you can’t use the plan until it’s accepted and you pay your first premium. See how to send documents.
- Two steps if you enroll now: a 2026 plan for November and December, then your 2027 plan during Open Enrollment.
Can I get help paying? 2026 and 2027 are different
The premium tax credit lowers your monthly payment. The rules change on January 1, 2027:
| Your situation | Rest of 2026 | Starting January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. citizen, green card holder, Cuban or Haitian entrant, COFA migrant | Help if income is 100% to 400% of the poverty level | Same |
| Refugee or asylee without a green card, TPS, parole other than Cuban/Haitian, certain visas | Help if income is 100% to 400% | Can buy a plan, but at full price |
| Lawfully present, not eligible for Medicaid because of status, income under 100% | No help | No help |
| DACA or undocumented | Can’t buy on the Marketplace | Can’t buy |
In Florida, people with income under 100% of the poverty level generally can’t get a tax credit, whatever their status. See the amounts for your household in the 2027 ObamaCare income limits, run the 2027 ObamaCare calculator and read who gets help in 2027 by immigration status.
If you can’t afford a plan: other ways to get care
- Community health centers: what you pay depends on your income, and they see patients without insurance. Find the closest one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
- Emergency Medicaid, for certain medical emergencies.
- Your children: lawfully residing children 18 and under can stay on Medicaid.
- If your status changes (for example, you get a green card), apply for Medicaid again. You can apply any time of year.
How Arte Insurance can help
We are a private, licensed Florida insurance agency (license L116417) in Hialeah, serving families in English and Spanish:
- We go over your DCF letter with you and how many days you have left.
- We check whether you can buy a Marketplace plan and whether you’d get help in 2026 and in 2027.
- We compare plans with your doctors and medicines in mind.
Insurers pay licensed agents; your premium is the same as enrolling on your own. Get a quote or call (786) 808-1802.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to get ObamaCare after losing Medicaid?
On HealthCare.gov, generally 90 days after your Medicaid ends. Also, from November 1 to January 15, anyone who qualifies can enroll for 2027.
I’m a Cuban entrant and lost Medicaid. What should I do?
Cuban and Haitian entrants can still qualify. Send your documents and, if you disagree, ask for a hearing within 90 days of the date on the letter. If you’re not sure whether you count as an “entrant,” talk to an immigration attorney.
I’m an asylee without a green card. Can I get ObamaCare in 2027?
You can generally buy a plan, but starting January 1, 2027, without a tax credit. For the rest of 2026 you may still get help if your income is 100% to 400% of the poverty level.
Will my children lose Medicaid too?
This change shouldn’t take it away: lawfully residing children 18 and under can still qualify. If your child got a closing letter, call DCF and ask for a hearing.
Do I have to wait until November 1 to enroll?
No. With the Special Enrollment Period you can pick a 2026 plan now, and then your 2027 plan by December 15 for coverage on January 1.
Arte Insurance is a private, licensed insurance agency (Florida license L116417). We are not HealthCare.gov, DCF or any government agency. You can also enroll directly at HealthCare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). This article is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Every case is different: for yours, talk to a licensed agent.
Sources:
- CMS: “Losing Medicaid or CHIP” (90 days; Marketplace phone), Nov 2025 (PDF)
- HealthCare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods (90 days after losing Medicaid or CHIP)
- HealthCare.gov: sending documents to confirm a Special Enrollment Period (30 days)
- HealthCare.gov: who can buy Marketplace coverage
- HealthCare.gov: 2027 dates and deadlines
- KFF Health News: Florida identified nearly 177,000 immigrants who would no longer qualify (Sept 30, 2026)
- Univision 23: nearly 177,000 immigrants; MyACCESS (Sept 30, 2026, Spanish)
- Telemundo 51: DCF letters, MyACCESS, DCF phone and Emergency Medicaid (Sept 30, 2026, Spanish)
- WUSF: who keeps Medicaid (lawfully residing children and pregnant women), Oct 1, 2026
- WGCU / Florida Trib: eligible families cut off by mistake (Oct 15, 2026)
- State Health and Value Strategies: H.R. 1 changes to non-citizen coverage (2026 and 2027 tax credits, Emergency Medicaid)
- CMS: noncitizen eligibility for APTC and CSRs, plan year 2027 (Oct 5, 2026, PDF)
- DCF: appeal hearings (90 days)
- Florida Health Justice Project: what to do if your DCF notice says Medicaid is ending
- Hernando County (DCF ACCESS): 1-866-762-2237 and MyACCESS
- HealthCare.gov: community health centers
- DOJ (EOIR): roster of recognized organizations and accredited representatives