Computer Glitch Improperly Drops Thousands of Florida Children From KidCare

Thousands of children in Florida's KidCare program over the past five months may have been improperly dropped from the program's rolls because of a glitch in the state's computer system, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. According to the News-Journal, Rich Robleto -- executive director of Florida Healthy Kids, which administers KidCare -- said 62,500 children left the program or were terminated from May to October, about 25,000 more than normal.

Child advocates and officials with Florida Healthy Kids said that notices to some families about premium due dates or enrollment renewal were sent late or not at all. In other cases, letters were not properly sent to inform parents that additional documentation was required to maintain coverage. Robleto said that some of the enrollment data may not have transferred properly when the new system was put in place in May. Robleto said eventually, the new system will "significantly improve service."

Florida Healthy Kids officials have started contacting the families of all 62,500 children, although it is unknown how many children were affected by the problem. The Florida Healthy Kids board recently reinstated some of the policies effective Nov. 1, for at least 30 days, until staff can determine that the cancellations were not caused by the computer problem, Robleto said (Circelli, Daytona Beach News-Journal, 11/5).