JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Federal officials say Missouri is the first state in the nation to get approval for a special health-care coordination program under President Barack Obama's health care law.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that Missouri will receive enhanced federal Medicaid funding for community mental health centers to coordinate the care of people dealing with chronic mental illness and substance abuse problems.
The so-called "health home" model is to go into effect in Missouri on Jan. 1.
Rhode Island and Oregon also have applied to use a similar "health home" model for their Medicaid patients.
Federal officials said the 2010 health care law provided greater flexibility for state Medicaid programs to coordinate care for people with chronic conditions.