Florida – Medical Homes
In 2009, the Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 223 of the 2009 Laws of Florida, an omnibus health care bill. Section 17 of this statute required the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to develop a plan to implement a Medicaid medical home pilot project enhanced by medical home networks in two geographic areas of the state. The law also required the Secretary of Health Care Administration to appoint a medical homes task force to assist AHCA in the development and implementation of the medical home pilot project. The Medicaid Medical Homes Task Force released its final recommendations in a 2010 report.
Last Updated: April 2014
| Forming Partnerships |
Chapter 223 of the 2009 Laws of Florida required a Medicaid medical homes task force to include provider and Medicaid enrollee representation. The Secretary of Health Care Administration appointed ten members in total, adding representatives for payers, professional associations, medical schools, and advocacy groups. All five Medicaid Medical Home Task Force meetings were public, and the task force allotted time for public comment at each meeting. More information on the task force members and minutes of each meeting can be found in the 2010 report.
The Medicaid Medical Home Task Force stressed a “bottom-up” approach to developing a medical home program by soliciting input from providers, consumers, and other interested stakeholders. The task force also recommended that an advisory board assist in the planning and implementation of a Medicaid medical home pilot project.
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| Defining & Recognizing a Medical Home |
Definition: The Medicaid Medical Home Task Force has recommended that the state’s definition of a medical home specify that medical home providers (1) are available on a 24/7 basis, (2) coordinate care with other providers serving a patient, and (3) address both physical and behavioral health needs.
Recognition: The Task Force has suggested using the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a starting point for developing recognition criteria. The task force also recommended maintaining the three-tier structure of NCQA recognition.
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For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
