Changes in Medical Transportation Policies Affect Medicaid Recipients

Posted on: July 22, 2014 in Transportation Disadvantaged

As a result of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, created by the Florida Legislature, changes arrive Aug. 1 to the ways some Central Florida Medicaid recipients will receive transportation services. Most Florida Medicaid recipients were required to enroll in the Managed Medicaid Assistance (MMA) program to continue receiving services.

The program is overseen by the Agency for Health Care Administration in Florida, which operates a Choice Counselor program to assist participants in getting a care plan that works for them.

The change officially takes place on Aug. 1, when Medicaid clients were to begin using one of six Managed Medical Assistance providers. Medicaid recipients who have not chosen a provider by Aug. 1 will be assigned a provider. During a 90-day period after the assignment, clients can change providers. After that time, enrollees must stay in their plan for the rest of the 12-month period.

As of Aug. 1, ACCESS LYNX no longer provides medical transportation to Medicaid recipients who are switching to MMA providers. Instead, the MMA plan providers will offer transportation services to their enrollees. ACCESS LYNX will continue to provide transportation for non-medical trips to users who are eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and transportation disadvantaged funds.

There are exceptions to Managed Medical Assistance plan enrollment for a few groups. Medicaid recipients in these groups do not need to enroll in MMA:

  • Women who are eligible only for family planning waivers
  • Women who are eligible through the breast and cervical cancer services program
  • Individuals eligible for emergency services only due to immigration status

Here are the main points you need to know about the Managed Medical Assistance program in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties:

  • If you are a Medicaid recipient in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties you can select from six standard MMA plans and seven specialty plans.
  • All MMA plans have minimum covered services, including transportation access. In addition, some MMA plan providers offer expanded services.
  • The specialty plans are for those Medicaid recipients who meet specified criteria based on age, medical condition, or diagnosis.
  • Medicaid recipients were instructed to select a plan by July 17, 2014. If you are eligible for the program but have NOT selected a plan, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) will select one for you.
  • You have 90 days after enrollment to change plans. After 90 days, you must stay in the plan for the remainder of the 12 month period before changing plans again.
  • If you are a Medicaid recipient and have any questions about the program, you should contact a Choice Counselor:  area7medicaidhelp@ahca.myflorida.com or 877-711-3662;  TDD, 866-467-4970

MetroPlan Orlando regularly updates members of its Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board [link to TDLCB page in Boards and Committees] on developments in MMA transportation changes. We also recently participated in a community Disability Seminar series to help the public better understand the new program.

Here is a MetroPlan Orlando presentation on the transportation component of the MMA program:

mma_transportation_presentation-7-22-14

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