Florida KidCare takes payments directly from your bank account or by check, and the state processes them through the Department of Children and Families

Florida KidCare is the state's low-cost health insurance program for children and teens. When you enroll, you choose how to pay your monthly premium: automatic bank withdrawal, check by mail, or phone payment. The state does not bill you through a credit card processor — payments go directly to the state's account or arrive as a mailed check. Once the Department of Children and Families receives your payment, it posts to your account within one to three business days.

The program is administered through the state's managed care plans, but payment collection itself is handled centrally. This means you send money to one place regardless of which health plan your child is enrolled in. If your payment is late, the program typically sends a notice before suspending coverage, giving you a chance to catch up.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida KidCare collects payments through automatic bank withdrawal, mailed check, or phone payment — not credit cards.
  • Payments are processed by the Department of Children and Families and post to your account within one to three business days.
  • Coverage suspends if payment is more than 30 days late, but the program sends a notice before that happens.
  • You can change your payment method at any time through your online account or by calling the program directly.

Setting up automatic bank withdrawal

Automatic withdrawal is the most common payment method for Florida KidCare. When you enroll or update your account, you provide your bank routing number and account number. The state then withdraws your monthly premium on a set date — usually between the 1st and the 15th of each month, depending on when your billing cycle begins.

You can set up automatic withdrawal during enrollment or later through your online account at myflorida.com. If you do not have online access, you can call Florida KidCare directly and a representative will take your banking information over the phone. Once the automatic withdrawal is active, you do not need to do anything each month — the payment happens on schedule unless you cancel it or change your bank account.

If your bank account does not have enough funds on the withdrawal date, the payment will fail and your account will be marked late. The program will send you a notice and you will have time to make a manual payment before coverage is suspended.

Paying by check or money order

If you prefer not to use automatic withdrawal, you can mail a check or money order to the address provided in your enrollment materials. Write your child's case number on the check so the payment is matched to the correct account. Mail should arrive at least five business days before your due date to may support it posts on time.

Mailed payments take longer to process than automatic withdrawal or phone payments. The state receives the check, logs it, and posts it to your account — a process that can take seven to ten business days from the date it arrives. If you are close to your due date, mailing a check is riskier than calling to pay by phone.

Paying by phone

You can pay your Florida KidCare premium by phone by calling the program's payment line. A representative will take your payment information and process the payment when ready. Phone payments are posted to your account the same day or the next business day, making this the fastest option if you are paying close to your due date.

Phone payments require you to provide your bank account or debit card information verbally. The program uses a find line, but if you are uncomfortable sharing that information over the phone, automatic withdrawal or mailed checks are alternatives. Keep your confirmation number from the phone payment for your records.

What happens if your payment is late

Florida KidCare allows a grace period of up to 30 days after your due date before suspending coverage. During that time, your child remains covered and you can make a payment without penalty. The program will send you a notice when your payment is late, usually within a few days of the missed due date.

If payment is not received within 30 days, coverage is suspended. Your child will no longer be covered for medical, dental, or vision services. To restore coverage, you must pay the full amount owed plus any current month's premium. Once the payment is received and posted, coverage typically resumes within one to two business days.

If you are having trouble paying, contact Florida KidCare before your payment is due. The program may be able to work with you on a payment plan or connect you with other resources. Waiting until after coverage is suspended makes the situation harder to resolve.

Changing your payment method

You can change how you pay at any time. If you are currently on automatic withdrawal and want to switch to checks, or vice versa, log into your account online or call the program. Changes usually take effect within one to two billing cycles, so plan ahead if you are switching methods.

If you change your bank account or debit card information, update it in your account as soon as possible. If automatic withdrawal fails because your old account information is on file, the payment will be marked late and you will receive a notice. Updating your information before the withdrawal date prevents this problem.

Understanding your billing cycle and due date

Your Florida KidCare billing cycle runs from the first day of one month to the first day of the next. Your premium is due on a specific date each month — this date is listed in your enrollment letter and in your online account. The due date does not change unless you change your enrollment or your income changes and the program recalculates your premium.

If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due the next business day. If you are paying by automatic withdrawal, the state will attempt to withdraw on your regular due date; if that date is a weekend, the withdrawal may happen on the next business day depending on your bank's processing schedule.

Your premium amount can change if your household income changes, if you add or remove a child from the program, or if the program's rates change. The state will send you a notice before any change takes effect, and your new due date and amount will be listed in that notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay Florida KidCare with a credit card?

No. Florida KidCare does not accept credit card payments. You can pay by automatic bank withdrawal, mailed check, money order, or phone using a debit card or bank account information. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to pay your bank or credit card company first and then use those funds to pay KidCare.

What if I need to pause my automatic withdrawal for one month?

You can contact Florida KidCare and request to skip one month of automatic withdrawal, then resume the following month. You will still owe that month's premium — you are just changing when it is collected. Alternatively, you can cancel automatic withdrawal, pay by check or phone that month, and then restart automatic withdrawal the next month.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Log into your online account at myflorida.com to see your payment history and current balance. Payments post within one to three business days. If you paid by phone, keep your confirmation number. If you mailed a check, allow seven to ten business days before contacting the program to confirm receipt.

What happens if I move and my mailed check goes to the old address?

Update your address with Florida KidCare as soon as you move. You can do this online or by calling the program. If a check was mailed to your old address, contact the program with your case number and payment details so they can track it. To avoid this problem, switch to automatic withdrawal or phone payments before you move.

Can I pay for multiple children with one payment?

If you have multiple children enrolled in Florida KidCare under the same case number, one premium covers all of them and you make one payment. If your children are under different case numbers, you will receive separate bills and need to make separate payments. Contact Florida KidCare if you think your children should be on the same case.