This Thursday marks the start of the annual open enrollment period for Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC), a 60-day window during which beneficiaries already enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care can review their coverage and switch plans without needing to justify the change to the state, as reported by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
The period extends from October 1 of this year until November 30, 2026, and any plan changes requested during this time will take effect on December 1.
It is essential to clarify what this open enrollment is and what it is not: it is not a period to apply for Medicaid for the first time, nor is it related to Medicare, the Health Insurance Marketplace, or the Affordable Care Act. It exclusively applies to those who are already beneficiaries of the Medicaid Managed Care program in Florida and wish to change their managed care plan.
When can I change my plan?
The official program website in Spanish outlines three situations in which a beneficiary may change their plan: during the first 120 days after initial enrollment, during the annual open enrollment period, or at any other time if they have a valid reason approved by the state.
Outside of those situations, there is what the program refers to as a change-free period, during which it is not possible to modify the plan unless a justified reason is provided.
"If you have been approved for Medicaid, you can change your plan during the first 120 days of your enrollment. After 120 days, you can only change your plan during your open enrollment period or for a valid reason approved by the state," states the official portal.
By 2026, the AHCA established a common open enrollment window for beneficiaries across all regions, from October 1 to November 30. Beneficiaries began receiving reminder letters in advance with information about the process.
How to manage the change of plan
The program offers several official ways to change your plan:
Online portal: through the FL Medicaid Beneficiary Portal, where you can access account information and manage plan changes.
Phone: calling 1-877-711-3662. To use the automatic system, you can request the PIN included in the letter sent by the state, the Florida Medicaid number or Golden Card number, and the year of birth for each person who will be enrolling.
Phone advisors: are also available at 1-877-711-3662. TDD users can call 1-866-467-4970.
Text message: during the open enrollment period, you can also initiate the process by sending the word ENROLL to 357662.
If the beneficiary does not have their Medicaid number or PIN, they can contact the Florida Department of Children and Families to obtain the necessary information.
Special attention for beneficiaries of the CMS plan
This October 1 also marks the transition of the Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Plan: beneficiaries who were covered by the Sunshine State Health Plan will automatically transfer to Molina Healthcare of Florida, without the need for any additional steps.
Those in this situation have continuity of care protections for up to 240 days, until May 31, 2027, or until a new care plan is completed and the corresponding services are authorized, whichever comes first.
For Cubans who receive Medicaid and are processing their residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, this coverage does not affect their immigration adjustment due to the public charge rule. Those applying for residency through other immigration pathways should take into account the new public charge rules that took effect in September.
"Once a year, beneficiaries will have the opportunity to change their plan during the open enrollment period. Beneficiaries will receive a reminder letter before this time," recalls the official program portal.
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