Brevard Health Weekly Roundup: Medicaid, Wellness & Provider Updates

Welcome to This Week's Space Coast Health Roundup

From Palm Bay to Cocoa Beach and everywhere in between, Brevard County residents are navigating a busy health landscape this summer. This week's roundup covers Medicaid redetermination updates still affecting local families, preventive screenings worth scheduling now, mental health access improvements, heat-related wellness reminders, and a look at community health programs making a difference across the Space Coast. Let's get into it.

Medicaid Redeterminations: Are Brevard Families Still Falling Through the Cracks?

Florida's Medicaid redetermination process — the state-by-state effort to reassess eligibility after the federal continuous enrollment requirement ended — has been ongoing for over a year, but its effects are still being felt in Brevard County. Thousands of Florida residents have lost Medicaid coverage, not always because they became ineligible, but often due to paperwork issues, outdated addresses, or missed notices.

If you or someone in your household was covered by Medicaid and recently received a termination notice — or simply stopped receiving a renewal card — it is worth taking action immediately:

• Check your enrollment status through the Florida ACCESS portal at access.florida.com
• Update your mailing address if you've moved in the past 12 months
• Contact the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) at 1-866-762-2237 for assistance
• Look into ACA marketplace plans if you no longer qualify for Medicaid — losing Medicaid coverage triggers a Special Enrollment Period, giving you 60 days to enroll in a new plan

Local navigators and certified enrollment assisters serving Brevard County can help you sort through your options at no cost. Don't assume a coverage gap is permanent — in many cases, families can be re-enrolled or transitioned to an affordable marketplace plan.

Preventive Care Spotlight: Screenings You Shouldn't Skip This Summer

Summer in Melbourne FL and across the Space Coast often means more outdoor time — which is great for your health in many ways, but it's also a good reminder to stay current on preventive screenings. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most health insurance plans are required to cover a wide range of preventive services at no cost to you, even before you meet your deductible.

Here are key screenings worth discussing with your primary care provider this season:

• Skin cancer screenings — Floridians face elevated UV exposure year-round; ask your dermatologist about annual checks
• Blood pressure and cholesterol checks — Covered under most ACA-compliant plans, and especially important in the heat when cardiovascular strain increases
• Diabetes screening — Florida has one of the higher rates of Type 2 diabetes in the nation; early detection makes a significant difference
• Colorectal cancer screening — Guidelines now recommend starting at age 45 for average-risk adults
• Mental health wellness visits — Often overlooked as a