MANAGED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MMA) LETTERS RECENTLY SENT BY THE AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION – MEDICAID OFFICE
WHAT IT MEANS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO RECEIVE SERVICES THROUGH THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (APD)
There are two Medicaid Managed Care Programs which may impact your services. The first is called the Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program. The second is called the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC). Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are considered a “voluntary” group for these programs. The Arc of Florida has written an Alert for each of these. This is Alert Number 1 “MMA”.
The State of Florida has recently begun sending letters to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are served by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, regarding a new Medicaid Managed Medical Assistance Program. This program is also called “MMA.” Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, served by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, are considered a “voluntary” group for the MMA program. Voluntary means you have the option to continue your medical care just as you are currently receiving it – you do not have to change anything – you do not have to go into MMA, or, it also means that if you are not happy with your current medical services, you can select a MMA program.
Some of the letters sent were in error and make you believe you must enroll in the new MMA program. This is incorrect. If you enrolled in MMA because you thought you had to, but would like to go back to the way you had your medical care provided, you should call 1-877-711-3662 or you can call your local Medicaid office – they are listed on the back of this sheet. You can ask for assistance from your Waiver Support Coordinator to contact the MMA program.
Also, some individuals may automatically get put into MMA who do not want to be in that program. You DO NOT have to go into the MMA program. If this happens to you, please call 1-877-711-3662 and tell them you want to go back to the way you were receiving your Medical services through Medicaid. You can also contact your local Medicaid office – they are listed on the back of this sheet. You can ask for assistance from your Waiver Support Coordinator to contact the MMA program to let them know you do not want to be in the MMA program.
If you think you would like to try the MMA program to receive your medical services, please know that your other services, provided through the iBudget Medicaid Waiver, will stay the same. There were some rumors that if you went onto MMA you would lose your iBudget Medicaid Waiver services – this is not true. However, if you do go on the MMA program you may have to switch doctors and where you go to get some of your other medical services. If you are on the “APD Waitlist” and are Medicaid eligible, you can enroll in the MMA program. Again, please carefully review what services are offered in your county by the different companies providing MMA before you decide to switch to MMA.
If you want to learn more about what the MMA program might be able to provide to you, you will either need to call 1-877-711-3662 or you can go on-line to see what is available in the area you live in. There will be several companies, who are like insurance companies, who have a list of the medical services they will provide. Study this list carefully! You can ask for assistance from your Waiver Support Coordinator to help you understand the list and what services you can get from each company.
To study the list of services on-line you can go to: http://www.flmedicaidmanagedcare.com or call Choice Counseling at 1-877-711-3662 – this phone number is available Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities 