Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, Florida paused its audits of the Medicaid rolls to ensure that no one lost coverage during a national emergency. But those audits resumed in April and 900,000 Floridians are expected to be deemed no longer eligible for Medicaid and could be dropped from its rolls.
Hillsborough County’s “best kept secret” offers a solution–the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan, which includes primary care, specialty care, emergency care, inpatient hospitalization, dental, pharmacy and vision at no cost to those who qualify.
Who Qualifies for Free Healthcare in Hillsborough?
To qualify for the county plan, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Live in Hillsborough County
- Be ineligible for Medicaid or lost Medicaid coverage.
- Have an income of at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines
Those who qualify include people who may work multiple part-time jobs or whose employers do not offer health insurance. It can also help those who have aged out of their parents’ insurance plan.
“I recently described it as the county’s best-kept secret,” said Philip Conti. He’s the Health Care Services Manager for Hillsborough County. And it is a program unique to Hillsborough County. Some 30 years ago, voters approved a half-penny sales tax to fund the health care program. “People back then really did have the best interest of the citizens of this county in mind,” Conti said.
For every purchase made in the county, a half penny goes into the health care plan trust fund.
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Currently, 14,904 people use the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan. With the Medicaid audit likely to boot 250,000 county residents from its rolls, Conti expects the local program to take on many more clients.
“Minimum wage in this state is $11.50 and even if you are working full time for that amount, you can qualify for this program,” Conti said.
Getting people to go to a doctor
Most of those now enrolled are single and over 40 years old, he said. “Young people tend to think they are indestructible. But we are trying to get them signed up and used to going to a primary care physician.”
In many instances, experts say, those who find themselves in with no health insurance will fail to visit a doctor when it is necessary. Or they go to the emergency room, which puts a strain on resources. They may show up to the ER with a major health issue that could have been avoided had they been seeing a doctor regularly, Conti said.
Hillsborough County offers this coverage gap to avoid such situations. This gives residents a managed care program when they have limited income and assets.
All told the county’s program has assisted over 146,783 county residents. The problem is, not everyone knows about this plan, Conti said.
The program has recently expanded its eligibility criteria to include single people who make $1,980 or less each month.
Health care partners include the Tampa Family Health Centers, Suncoast Community Health Centers, Tampa General Medical Groups, and other providers and hospitals across Hillsborough County.
Those who enroll select a partnering provider health center convenient to their location and work with a medical doctor for their care. There are no copays or premiums.
Those who want to learn more can apply online or call and speak to a member services representative who can walk them through the application process. That number is 813-272-5040. For more information, send an email to HealthCareServicesInfo@HCFLGov.net.
