Medicaid and Medicare in Florida State

Medicaid is a national health care program that provides coverage to millions of low-income individuals in Florida since January 1970.  Medicaid program is funded by the state and the federal government to offer health care services to people adults and children who lack insurance coverage. The program has a significant impact on low-income adults, pregnant women, low-income children, disabled persons, non-citizens and seniors under specific qualifications set by the Florida Agency Health Care Administration (DHHS, 2009). On the other hand, Medicare in Florida is a health insurance that covers senior citizens aged 65, disabled individuals and people with kidney failure.  However, Medicare program does not have a significant impact since it involves fee-for-services coverage and out-of-pocket expense. There are also premiums that increase over time and contain strict coverage rules such as ‘not to seek care to a different place’.

The Medicaid program has a significant impact in Florida in that since the implementation of the coverage; it has brought improvement in the following areas. First, 17  million women of reproductive age are covered by the  Medicaid, and they receive a comprehensive health care services such as family planning,  maternity care, ultrasound,  mental health care, surgeries,  breast and cervical cancer and more (DHHS, 2009).  Second, the Medicaid program has a significant impact as it provides the Managed Medical Assistance- this involves dental care and behavioral health services.  Medicaid also provides the Long-term Care- this involves the community-based care to disabled and senior people.  About 85% of the enrollees receive Managed Assistance care.  The two program coordinates to provide comprehensive care to the eligible people (DHHS, 2009).  Third, Medicaid program in Florida offers an extensive patient base especially to a low-income population where they receive community behavioral health, home health care, and prescription medications.

In 2016 the total number of people who were enrolled was more than 3.6 million. The number will increase since 68% of residents are for to Medicaid program to cover the 467, 000 people who are in the coverage gap (DHHS, 2009).  The state should implement a quality strategy to improve the Medicaid performance level.

 

Reference

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). (2009). Medicaid Integrity Program: Florida Comprehensive Program Integrity Review. Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Fraud-Prevention/FraudAbuseforProfs/Downloads/FLfy09.pdf