December 18, 2024  – The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has announced an expansion of its Behavioral Health and Supportive Housing Assistance Pilot, along with plans to transition behavioral analysis services to managed care. This initiative, aimed at enhancing support for Medicaid recipients grappling with serious mental illness (SMI) or substance use disorders (SUD), is set to extend to two additional regions beyond its current operations.

Since its inception, the pilot has been active in Region 5, covering Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as Region 7, which includes Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Under the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program, the pilot provides essential community supports and housing services to adults over the age of 21 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The proposed expansion will include “Region A,” encompassing the panhandle counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, and others, and “Region B” which covers northern counties such as Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, and additional areas. This expansion is part of AHCA’s ongoing efforts to address the complex needs of Florida’s vulnerable populations through targeted, evidence-based interventions.

Services currently offered by the pilot include transitional housing assistance, which aids recipients in preparing for and transitioning into stable housing environments, and tenancy sustaining services, which help individuals maintain successful tenancies. Additional supports include mobile crisis management, providing intensive on-site interventions by behavioral health professionals available 24/7/365, and self-help/peer support services that promote coping and management skills through the assistance of peer support specialists.

The pilot also allows for incidental coverage where health plans may cover one-time needs such as deposits, rent, and utilities, further assisting recipients in stabilizing their living situations.

As part of the broader strategy to integrate more behavioral health services into managed care, Florida is moving behavioral analysis services away from the traditional fee-for-service system. This transition aims to streamline access to care, improve service delivery, and enhance overall efficiency.

For more details on the pilot and upcoming changes, visit the Florida AHCA website at https://ahca.myflorida.com/.