Managed Health Care for Children in Foster Care

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/florida-moves-to-manage-health-care-for-foster-kids/2014/02/13/7d4ce066-9498-11e3-9e13-770265cf4962_story.html

The state of Florida aims to manage health care for children in the foster care system, which will enable them to more adequately address physical and mental health needs for children involved with foster care.  Children are now automatically enrolled in the state's Medicaid, and case managers have an allocated $150 per child to address socio-emotional needs (such as a new baseball mitt or a dress for a school dance).  In theory, this shift makes sense.  Foster care children often have gaps in medical and mental health care due to frequent changes in caregivers, and this program will address that.  It will also ensure that finances are not a barrier to children receiving necessary health care.  From a practical standpoint, I am curious as to how community-based case managers will be able to fill in gaps in children's medical histories (as the article says they will).  Will this significantly alter the amount of work that goes into each case, or will case managers still be able to provide appropriate care to each of their clients?  The article explains that states will need to pay higher rates to insurers, but that the pay-off is great because children in the foster care will have better health and will be able to avoid medical problems that result from a lack of proactive and preventative care.  Given the high percentage of kids in the foster care system who have significant medical needs, I agree that this is ultimately a positive shift.  Given the current state of Ohio's budget and its financial priorities, do you think the legislature would be willing to implement a similar program?