Main AHCA Website

AHCA’s main website for information on Medicaid, Health Quality Assurance and the Florida Center for Health Information and Policy Analysis.

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Florida Health Information Network

This website provides information and resources relating to AHCA’s initiatives for Health Information Technology and Health Information Exchange.

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FloridaHealthFinder.gov

Provides health education and information to compare and locate health care providers in Florida to make well-informed health care decisions.

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AHCA Network of Websites

Resources

Financial Help

COMMUNITY HELP:

If you are having problems because of large medical bills or you need medical treatment you can’t pay for -- You might want to contact your local newspaper to ask if they publish any kind of community service article that highlights people in need.  Some newspapers highlight ways in which people in the community can donate money or services to help others.  If your local newspaper has such a program maybe they would be willing to present your case or they can tell you how to apply to be highlighted in such an article. Sometimes you will need to go through a social service agency in order to be included.

FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY COMPENSATION ASSOCIATION (NICA):

This association (NICA) was created by the Florida Legislature to pay for the care of infants born with certain neurological injuries.  The plan provides a wide range of benefits to a child who has sustained a brain or spinal cord injury caused by oxygen deprivation or mechanical injury during labor, delivery, or in the immediate post-delivery period in a hospital which leaves the child permanently and substantially mentally and physically injured.  You are eligible for this protection if your doctor is a participating physician in the NICA Plan.  You can call NICA at (850) 488-8191 or view their website by clicking www.nica.com.

LARGE MEDICAL BILLS:

If you have large medical bills you are unable to pay off quickly, ask the hospital, doctor, or other type of health care provider if you can set up a payment plan.  Even if you have already been told that the monthly amount you can pay is not enough, you may want to call for an appointment to sit down and again discuss the situation. You might also want to ask if they have a program available to help uninsured individuals or if they know of such a program in your local community.

In addition, you might want to contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service.  This is a nonprofit, United Way supported organization that helps people deal with debt.  They don't help pay off debt, but they provide financial counseling and educational services for handling debt.  For more information call their toll-free number (800) 984-0977, or to view their website click www.cccsfl.org.  Ask them about the types of services they offer and if there are fees.

You can also try calling the phone number 211.  This is a community referral service that lists various programs in a community that serve people in need. Ask them if there are groups or organizations in your community that help with large medical bills.  The 211 phone number is slowly being introduced throughout Florida. Some communities already have it operating while some are still waiting to put it into operation. You can also view the website for the Florida Alliance for Information and Referral Services at www.flairs.org.

OPTIONAL STATE SUPPLEMENTATION:

Some residents in adult family care homes, assisted living facilities, and mental health resident treatment facilities may be eligible for some financial help through Optional State Supplementation (OSS).  For more information contact your local office of the Department of Children and Families.  Locate the office nearest you by clicking www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/servicecenters.shtml#svcctrs. 

More information on OSS and other types of financial resources for these types of facilities can be found on the website of the Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs (DOEA):  www.FloridaAffordableAssistedLiving.org (Click “Consumers” then click “Consumer Information”) or call the DOEA toll-free number (800) 963-5337.

TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE:

This program provides cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 (or under age 19 if full time secondary school students), that meet certain other requirements. Pregnant women might qualify in the 6th month if unable to work or in the 9th month of pregnancy. To learn more view the Department of Children and Families website www.dcf.state.fl.us (click the ACCESS Florida link) or call the toll-free number (866) 762-2237

UTILITY BILLS:

If you are having problems paying your utility bill because of large medical bills -- You might want to contact your local utility company to ask if they have a program to help with paying your bill.  Many utility companies have such a program that will help at least one time with an outstanding bill for individuals who qualify. 

OTHER RESOURCES:

Be sure to look at the other topics listed in the Medical Help Section by clicking Referral Links.