Jodi Ray

"We could see a pretty significant increase," says Jodi Ray, of Florida Covering Kids & Families, which provides free navigator services to anyone in need. The enrollment period began Wednesday.

Now that pandemic protections are expiring, millions of Floridians will have to reapply for Medicaid and some could lose coverage. But families don't have to go through the process alone.

States are trying to reach millions of Medicaid enrollees to make sure those still eligible remain covered and help others find new health insurance. Experts especially worry about what will become of Florida enrollees.

Jodi Ray, director Florida Covering Kids & Families, says she’s had more resources and new strategies for getting info out. The navigator group has placed an emphasis on application due dates and letting people know where to go for help.

Health care navigators help people sign up for insurance plans available on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Navigators at USF have received thousands of calls in need of help sorting through the complexities of the health care market, and leaders expect more people to reach out as the deadline looms closer..

Jodi Ray of Florida Covering Kids & Families says one reason for the jump may be the Biden administration’s push for more resources toward marketing and outreach, particularly through the American Rescue Plan.

Some consumers "have gone months" without realizing someone had improperly enrolled them in health plans, with tax credits that may need repaying. A proposed new rule would stop the practice.

Led by nearly 2.6 million in Florida, 13.6 million Americans have enrolled for next year . A boost in subsidies marketing and assistance in navigating the process helped increased the rolls of the insured.

Open enrollment for the health care marketplace lasts until Jan. 15. But if people want coverage on Jan. 1, they must be enrolled by Dec. 15.