Restoring Medicaid Coverage Through Our Medical-Legal Partnership

Legal Services continues to make a profound difference in the lives of individuals navigating the complexities of public benefits systems. Among those we have had the privilege of serving is Maeva*, a 41-year-old mother who came to us in the wake of a deeply stressful experience: a Medicaid application denial following a brief hospital stay in November, leaving her to face nearly $47,000 in outstanding medical bills. 

The denial stemmed from errors within the Department of Children and Families (DCF) records, specifically, outdated information carried over from a 2021 child support case and an incorrect household composition on file. Together, these inaccuracies painted a picture of Maeva's circumstances that bore little resemblance to reality. 

Through our Medical‑Legal Partnership, generously funded by the Health Foundation of South Florida, Maeva was connected with Legal Services attorney Daniel Rowinsky. Upon reviewing her case, Attorney Rowinsky determined that the child support requirement in question was no longer applicable. He counseled Maeva on her reporting obligations, filed a formal appeal on her behalf, and worked directly with DCF to have the errors corrected retroactively. 

His advocacy extended further still: Attorney Rowinsky successfully demonstrated that Maeva qualified for Medicaid coverage under the Medically Needy Program for November 2025, a determination DCF ultimately affirmed. With that recognition came the assurance that her hospitalization costs should be covered in full, lifting a substantial financial burden and restoring her access to the care she had always been entitled to receive. 

*Client’s name & photo changed to protect confidentiality. 

If you have been denied, had your benefits reduced, or experienced a termination of benefits, CLICK HERE or call 305-576-0080 to apply for service