Agency for Health Care Administration

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For assistance, call 1-888-419-3456 or visit https://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Field_Ops/CAU.shtml

What is the purpose of the agency?

The agency's purpose is to assure better health care for all Floridians. The Florida Legislature created the Agency for Health Care Administration as part of the Health Care Reform Act of 1992 (Ch. 92-33, Laws of Florida). The agency is responsible for administering the Medicaid Program, licensing and regulating health facilities, and providing information to Floridians about the quality of the health care they receive. The agency's secretary is appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

What are the major program activities and services of the agency?

The Agency for Health Care Administration's major program activities are administered by two divisions.

Medicaid Health Care Services provides health care coverage to low-income individuals who meet Medicaid and Florida KidCare eligibility requirements.
Health Quality Assurance ensures quality health care services by licensing and inspecting health care facilities, investigating complaints against health care facilities, and working to ensure the integrity of Florida's Medicaid Program. In addition, the agency operates the Florida Center for Health Information and Transparency, which is responsible for collecting, compiling, coordinating, analyzing, and disseminating health-related data and statistics.

How is the agency organized?

The agency has designated 11 service areas. Medicaid field offices within the 11 service areas serve Medicaid providers and beneficiaries. The agency's Tallahassee central office coordinates Medicaid and health care regulation policy. There are eight Health Quality Assurance field offices within the 11 service areas that offer quality assurance services and serve as local liaisons for providers.

How are these activities funded?

The majority of the agency's budget pays for direct health care services for Medicaid and KidCare clients. Another portion pays for health care regulation activities, such as licensing and inspecting health care facilities, providing consumer assistance, investigating complaints, and regulating managed care organizations.

Fiscal Year: 2022-23

	Fund	Dollars	Positions
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
	PROGRAM: ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT	33,255,685	261.00
PROGRAM: HEALTH CARE REGULATION
	HEALTH CARE REGULATION	78,608,814	655.50
PROGRAM: HEALTH CARE SERVICES
	CHILDREN'S SPECIAL HEALTH CARE	494,948,991	.00
	EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES	358,178,190	623.00
	MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE	8,518,787,487	.00
	MEDICAID SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS	28,649,203,349	.00
TOTAL		38,132,982,516	1,539.50

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

Acute and Post-acute Hospital Care at Home. The 2022 Legislature enacted Ch. 2022-35, Laws of Florida, which authorizes paramedics and Class III institutional pharmacies—a type of hospital pharmacy—to serve hospital patients in their homes under specified circumstances. The law amends s. 401.272, Florida Statutes, to authorize a paramedic, under the supervision of a physician or acting under other standing orders, to provide basic life support services and advanced life support services to a patient receiving acute and post-acute hospital care at his or her permanent residence through a program approved by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. The law specifies that Class III institutional pharmacies may dispense, distribute, compound, and fill prescriptions for medicinal drugs for inpatient treatment and patients receiving acute and post-acute hospital care at home.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on agency operations are available on its website.

Websites of Interest
Florida Health Finder
Florida Health Information Network (FHIN)

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Section 20.42, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Consumer Call Center Complaint Hot Line, 1-888-419-3456

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