Florida Receives Approval on Statewide Medicaid Managed-Care

Preparing for long-term care for yourself or a loved one comes with many decisions, including where assisted living or nursing services will be provided if they become necessary. Making the best choices to protect and care for loved ones requires knowledge of both elder law and financial options. For many who require long-term care, Medicaid is a deciding factor in how treatment will be sought.

Individuals who are counting on Medicaid to help pay for long-term care for themselves or loved ones should take time to understand the current changes in Florida Medicaid coverage. Since last year, Florida Medicaid has been moving to managed-care plans for long-term care. That rollout will be completed as of March 2014.

According to Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, the federal government has approved further expansion of the Medicaid managed-care structure in the state. The AHCA reports that further implementation will begin in May 2014. That implementation will affect individuals in 37 counties; other counties will see the expansion as the roll out continues throughout the year.

According to the AHCA, the rollout should result in 83 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries in the state being enrolled in Medicaid managed-care plans. As enrollment in a specific plan can impact benefits, it’s important for patients or responsible family members to review options carefully. Enrolling in the wrong plan could mean patients are no longer eligible for services in the desired location or facility.

Senior citizens or concerned family members should ask questions and ensure they understand insurance provisions before making any decisions. If decisions become too complicated, seeking advice outside of the family structure is one way to ensure medical requirements for loved ones are covered under the right insurance plan.