Florida Becomes First U.S. State to Cover Mental Illness Under Medicaid

Florida has taken the lead in destigmatizing mental illness in America by becoming the first state to provide a plan tailored to cover related conditions under Medicaid.

The coverage is part of a long-range goal to provide comprehensive holistic care to patients who use public health assistance.

Florida’s Medicaid now covers many of the most debilitating mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, major depressive and bipolar disorders.

Coverage of mental health conditions under Medicaid began roll out in Florida’s two largest counties, Miami-Dade and Broward, July 1.

Mental health services under Medicaid have historically been contracted out to private healthcare providers. This system muddied communication between private insurers and the state-run program, Kaiser Health News reports. Additionally, chronically ill patients account for “a large share” of public health spending.

But the restructured Medicaid seeks to change that.

“Under the Managed Medical Assistance program [of Florida’s Medicaid Managed care program], all recipients will receive their mental health and medical services through one plan,” Florida Medicaid spokeswoman Shelisha Coleman tells Patch.

Kaiser estimates 140,000 low-income Floridians will be eligible for coverage, with 20,000 voluntarily signing up in the first year.

Mental illness is among America’s most common and most-ignored ailments, according to the American Medical Association.

Kaiser Health says the rollout of the services is contracted to Connecticut-based Magellan Complete Care, with anticipated costs of up to $1.5 billion over five years.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, mandates improving mental health services nationwide.

Arizona, Minnesota, and Tennessee are implementing similar programs in attempts to improve mental health outcomes.