Medicaid change could impact services for Florida children
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Starting Thursday, Molina Healthcare will operate the Children’s Medical Services Health Plan in Florida.
Although letters from the secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration went out about the Medicaid change, some parents may have missed them.
One healthcare provider says that while this is an automatic switch, you should still reach out to your healthcare providers to make sure there is no interruption in services.
Chiriga Ofori is CEO of Agape’s Way, which provides 24/7 skilled nursing services to children and adults in the group home setting and in the community.
She wants all parents and guardians to know about Medicaid changes taking effect Thursday.
The Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Plan operated by Sunshine Health is changing and will become Children’s Medical Services by Molina Healthcare.
“Prescriptions, doctors’ appointments, transportation, primary care physicians, all the things that insurance pays for is going to be affected during this change,” Ofori said.
WESH 2 News reporter Gail Paschall-Brown asked, “So, how many kids does this affect in Central Florida, or the state of Florida?”
“State of Florida, and it’s thousands of children,” Ofori replied.
Letters were sent out to all families and providers about the transition.
“What you need to do is contact all of your providers that you’re receiving healthcare services through to make sure there’s no interruption in services. If you have any issues or concerns with your provider, then you need to escalate that to Molina Healthcare case managers to make sure there’s no interruption,” Ofori explained.
That, she says, is key.
The state letters to families and providers also say all prior authorizations, previously scheduled appointments, prescriptions and procedures will be covered through your current providers until May 30, 2027, even if the provider does not accept Molina.
That falls under the Continuity of Care period.
If you have any questions, contact the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care website by calling 1-877-711-3662.