In mid-May, Mandi Rokx faced a daunting situation with her 3-month-old baby when she received a letter from a Florida agency informing her that both of them would be cut from Medicaid, the vital health insurance program for individuals with low incomes or disabilities.
According to a Florida law passed in 2021, Rokx was entitled to receive 12 months of continuous coverage after giving birth. However, the letter from Florida’s Department of Children and Families stated that their coverage would abruptly end on May 31st.
The reason provided was that Rokx had allegedly failed to complete or follow through with her Medicaid renewal. However, Rokx expressed confusion as she believed she had provided all the necessary information as requested by the state.
The sudden loss of Medicaid coverage left Rokx worried about the implications for her daughter, Vernita. Initially, she resorted to paying out-of-pocket for the infant’s checkups. Eventually, she turned to a local nonprofit organization near her home in Melrose, Florida, which offered a free health fair once a month.
An undisclosed number of mothers in Florida, including Rokx, faced a similar situation of losing Medicaid coverage after giving birth, despite being eligible. This issue is at the center of an ongoing federal lawsuit filed against the state in August 2023. The problem has been linked to the state’s computer eligibility system, managed by Deloitte Consulting, a prominent consulting firm.
Deloitte has been awarded contracts worth over $100 million in Florida to modernize, operate, and maintain the state’s integrated eligibility system for Medicaid and other benefits. The company has faced criticism for errors in eligibility systems across several states, costing millions and taking years to rectify.
Despite the challenges faced by Medicaid beneficiaries in Florida, Deloitte has not responded to requests for comments regarding their work in the state. The situation has prompted concerns from lawmakers and patient advocates who question the accountability of vendors like Deloitte in ensuring the proper functioning of Medicaid eligibility systems.
The ongoing trial in Florida has shed light on systemic failures in the state’s Medicaid eligibility system, with testimony revealing instances of eligible individuals being disenrolled from Medicaid. The trial has highlighted the need for improved oversight and accountability in managing critical government programs like Medicaid.
While Rokx, along with other affected mothers, was able to regain their Medicaid coverage with the assistance of legal advocates, the broader issue of eligibility system errors continues to impact vulnerable populations in Florida and other states. The outcome of the federal lawsuit against Florida’s Medicaid system remains pending, with implications for the future of Medicaid eligibility and coverage in the state.
