Now that the legislature and the Governor have approved Medicaid Reform, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) must seek permission from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (the federal government) to expand the waiver program to senior citizens. This means that AHCA will be asking CMS to allow Florida to put the weakest and poorest of our elderly population into the managed care system (which has yet to be proven to be successful in pilot programs). Before AHCA can ask for permission, though, they must have public hearings around the state of Florida. The comments from these hearings must then be transmitted to CMS and CMS must consider these comments in determining whether to grant the waiver request or restrict portions of it.
YOU CAN STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Attend a hearing in your area (there are 11 Regions throughout Florida). Below is a list of the meetings around the state of Florida with the dates and times. The first meeting is being held this Friday, June 10th in Tallahassee. If you live in Tampa, the meeting is being held on June 16th (see below for details).
This is a chance for the public to comment and tell their stories about the waiver program, especially those that have been “wronged” by the pilot project, or those who can discuss how confusing it has been to choose a managed care provider, and to discuss the lack of educational opportunities for choice counseling in the current legislation.
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Medicaid
The Agency for Health Care Administration announces a public meeting to which all persons are
invited.
June 10, 2011
1:00pm ‐ 4:00pm
Agency for Health Care Administration
Building 3, Conference Room A
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL, 32308
June 13, 2011
1:00pm ‐ 4:00pmCT
City Hall, Hagler/Mason Auditorium 2nd floor,
222 W. Main St.
Pensacola, FL 32502
June 14, 2011
9:00am – 12:00pm
Department of Children and Families
5920 Arlington Expressway
Jacksonville, Florida 32211, Main Auditorium
June 14, 2011
9:00am ‐12:00pm
Hilton Palm Beach Airport
150 Australian Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
June 14, 2011
2:30pm – 5:30pm
Alachua Regional Service Center
14107 US Highway 441, Conf Rm 190‐A
Alachua, FL 32615
June 15, 2011
9:00am ‐12:00pm
Mary Grizzle Building, Rooms 136 & 137
11351 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33778‐1629
June 16, 2011
9:00am – 12:00pm
Florida Department of Transportation, Auditorium
11201 N. McKinley Dr.
Tampa, FL 33612
June 16, 2011
9:00am – 12:00pm
Marriott Fort Lauderdale North
6650 North Andrews Avenue
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309
June 16, 2011
2:00pm – 5:00pm
El Palacio, 21485 NW – 27th Avenue
Miami Gardens, FL 33056
June 16, 2011
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Medicaid Program Office, 400 West Robinson St.,
Hurston Building, Conference Rooms A&D – 1st Floor
Orlando, FL 32801
June 17, 2011
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Joseph D’Alessandro Bldg.
2295 Victoria Avenue, Rm. 165
Fort Myers, FL 33901
To learn more about Florida Elder Law, Medicaid Laws, and issues affecting seniors, please contact the Law Offices of Laurie Ohall.