The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) today underscores the prioritization of funding by Governor Ron DeSantis that will result in better health care for all Floridians.
“Governor DeSantis took office with a bold vision to make Florida’s health care system the most transparent, most affordable and highest quality in the nation,” said Secretary Simone Marstiller. “During the 2021 Legislative session, the Agency received significant support from the Legislature to execute this vision, including key investments in enhanced mental health services to Florida Medicaid participants, extended Medicaid coverage to new mothers, and technology to support data integration among state health care agencies.”
The General Appropriations Act provides the Agency funding to improve the delivery of services provided in Florida’s health care system, including:
- Minimizes Impacts to Critical Providers in Florida’s Health Care System – The General Appropriations Act meets the Governor’s request to minimize impacts of critical health care providers, including Florida’s hospitals and long-term care facilities, after a historic year of service to Floridians.
- $239.7 Million to Extend Medicaid Coverage for Pregnant Women –Senate Bill 2518 provides extended Medicaid coverage for pregnant women from 2 months to 1 year following the delivery of their baby to ensure better care and services for both the mother and baby.
- $18.3 Million to Increase Rate Level for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) – The increased reimbursement level will support those who serve people with disabilities and those with severe behavioral needs and improve access to services.
- Provides Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team as a covered Medicaid service – The budget language provides the opportunity for FACT teams, which are available 24/7 and serve individuals with serious and persistent mental health issues, to become a covered service through the Medicaid state plan. Additionally, the State of Florida will be able to increase the rate of federal matching funds from 50% to 62.35%, providing a savings to Florida taxpayers.
- $48 Million to Enhance Technology Initiatives through the Florida Health Care Connections (FX) project –The funding allows the Agency to continue this multi-year Medicaid system transformation project, which will:
- Replace the current functions and responsibilities of the current Medicaid fiscal agent by the December 2024 statutory deadline; and
- Replace outdated and inefficient legacy systems and processes with modern solutions that provide uniform, consistent and improved access to high quality data, and create interoperability with other state Medicaid systems.
The Florida Legislature also passed House Bill 1057 which removes antiquated statutory requirements that do not conform to current healthcare industry and Agency practices. This includes removing the requirement to issue reports that are out-of-date and no longer necessary.
The Agency for Health Care Administration is committed to better health care for all Floridians. The Agency administers Florida’s Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 48,000 health care facilities and 47 health plans, and publishes health care data and statistics at www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov. Additional information about Agency initiatives is available via Facebook and Twitter.
