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Infant, Maternal & Reproductive Health Unit |
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Florida's HEALTHY START
Medicaid Waiver for Healthy Start Services
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Effective July 1, 2001, the Florida's Legislature authorized the application for a Medicaid Waiver
that allows the State to receive Medicaid reimbursement for services not previously covered by Medicaid.
The Medicaid Waiver will allow Florida's Healthy Start to progress towards fully meeting the
identified needs of the maternal and infant population by increasing the duration and intensity
of the Healthy Start services necessary to address identified risks.
The Medicaid waiver also includes a component to provide services to women who are eligible for
Medicaid through SOBRA (Sixth Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) Care Management, which enables
more at-risk pregnant women to obtain necessary care beginning in the earliest stages of pregnancy.
This care management program is entitled "MomCare" and works to improve birth outcomes and infant
health by offering:
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Simplified Medicaid enrollment
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Prenatal care outreach and counseling for the selection of
maternity care providers
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Assistance with the initiation and use of prenatal care services
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Healthy Start services for women identified at risk for poor birth and pregnancy outcomes
Healthy Start services include care coordination and additional services that focus on the reduction
of factors associated with poor health outcomes for pregnant women and young children. Potential
long-term benefits service provisions under the new waiver are:
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A reduction in hospital costs for delivery due to fewer complications at birth and fewer
cesarean sections
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A potential reduction in the cost of services to special needs children due to the decrease in
the number of low birth weight babies
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A potential reduction in emergency room use and the need for additional services due to chronic
medical problems related to complications at birth
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An increase in funding for Florida's at-risk pregnant women and children
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An increase in the intensity and duration of services to these women using Risk Appropriate
Care principles
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An increase in the screening of Pregnant women and infants, which may lead to an increase in the
number of Healthy Start pregnant women and children served through increased care coordination
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Infant, Maternal & Reproductive Health
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