Florida Pilots Managed Integrated Care Program

Managed integrated care has had its proponents for at least the last decade.  It came to the fore after advocates worked hard to try to create a more seamless Medicare system.  The current system has been fragmented and confusing for a long time, and has long been overdue for an overhaul, or at least some better organization.

The time has come.  Managed Integrated Care is a vehicle to strengthen a weakened system and create a system that is no longer held together like a jigsaw puzzle. 

Florida’s system is designed mainly for individuals over the age of 60, or those that are 21 and older and eligible for dual benefits – Medicare and Medicaid.  All of these individuals can receive coordinated benefits that are delivered through one organization rather than working through the system that takes a person from place to place, program to program and a fragmented, divided system that is cumbersome and confusing.

At this time, the program, called the Florida Senior Care Program, is a pilot program that will be introduced in Central Florida (Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Brevard Counties) and in the Miami area (Dade and Monroe Counties).

In order to make sure that individuals get the right information easily, Florida has set up the Florida Senior Care website and also set up meetings throughout the counties they are piloting with.  The website gives specific, yet, easy to understand information.  This site answers frequently asked questions, and gives updates and new information. 

Florida has managed to creatively set up a system that will encourage individuals to research Medicaid and Medicare, and they should be applauded for it.  By making the information seamless and easy to use, they will help get people who need – and qualify – for benefits figure out how to receive.