For Third Time, State Seeks Changes in Medicaid Program

For the third time in less than a year, Florida is asking the federal government to amend a sweeping Medicaid “waiver,” including seeking permission to add community mental-health providers to the list of those able to participate in a supplemental Medicaid funding program.

“We think this is a great thing to do,” said Melanie Brown-Woofter, interim president and CEO of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health. She noted that, if approved, the change could result in a projected $15.7 million increase in funding for community receiving facilities that treat patients for mental health and substance abuse disorders, including opioid addictions.

But under federal law, the state can't submit proposed amendments without first allowing the public to comment. To that end, state Agency for Health Care Administration officials held a meeting Wednesday at the agency's Tampa office.