Is Your Child on Florida's CMS Plan? What the Molina Healthcare Transition Means for Your Family
Starting October 1, 2026, Florida's Children's Medical Services (CMS) Plan is moving from Sunshine Health to Molina Healthcare of Florida. If your child currently gets coverage through the CMS Plan, here's a quick answer to the question most families have: no, you don't need to do anything to stay covered — but there are a few details worth understanding, especially if your child receives home nursing or family caregiver services.
What's Changing — and What Isn't
Molina Healthcare of Florida will take over management of the CMS Plan from Sunshine Health. If your child is already enrolled in the CMS Plan, they will be moved to Molina automatically — you should not need to submit a new application because of this change alone. Your child's covered services and benefits are intended to stay the same through the transition, and existing appointments, prescriptions, and prior authorizations are expected to carry over.
Key Dates
Families began receiving a postcard about the transition in July 2026, followed by a confirmation letter in late August 2026. The transition itself takes effect October 1, 2026, and a continuity-of-care period follows to help prevent any gap in your child's care while providers and authorizations transition to Molina.
What This Means for Your Child's Providers
This is the part most flyers on this topic leave out, and it's worth knowing: a provider's existing contract with Sunshine Health does not automatically carry over to Molina. Providers have to sign a new, direct contract with Molina to keep serving CMS Plan members once the continuity-of-care period ends.
Home Heart Florida is contracted with Molina Healthcare and will continue serving CMS Plan patients without interruption after the October 1 transition. If your child already receives care through us, this change shouldn't disrupt your services. If your child works with a different home health agency, private duty nurse, or therapy provider, it's worth confirming directly with them whether they're contracted with Molina — so there's no surprise gap in care after the transition window closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fill out a new application for my child?
No. If your child is already enrolled in the CMS Plan, they will transition to Molina automatically. You should not need to reapply because of this change.
Will my child's benefits or covered services change?
Your child's covered services and benefits are intended to stay the same during the transition. Existing appointments, prescriptions, and prior authorizations are expected to be honored.
What if my child's current home health agency or nurse isn't contracted with Molina yet?
Providers must sign a new contract directly with Molina to continue serving CMS Plan members past the continuity-of-care period. If you're not sure whether your current provider is contracted with Molina, ask them directly.
Who do I contact with questions about the transition itself?
For questions about your child's specific CMS Plan coverage or enrollment, Molina Healthcare and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) are the official sources. For questions about home nursing, the parent caregiver program, or keeping your child's home care in place through the transition, Home Heart Florida's team can help.
How Home Heart Florida Can Help
If your child is on the CMS Plan and receives — or could benefit from — care at home, our team can help you understand what the Molina transition means for your specific situation, including:
Whether your child may qualify for private duty nursing
Whether you may qualify to become your child's paid family caregiver through the FHHA program
What steps to take to keep home care services in place through the transition
Our Services
Private Duty Nursing: Skilled nurses provide care for your child at home.
Family Home Health Aide (FHHA) Program: Eligible parents or family caregivers may be trained and paid to care for their medically fragile child at home.
Getting Started Is Simple
You don't need to figure this out alone. If your child is on the CMS Plan and you have questions about home care, nursing, or the parent caregiver program, our team can walk you through it. Call us at 844-721-1433 or fill out our Caregiver Inquiry Form to get started.
Sources
Sunshine Health, CMS Health Plan Transitions to Molina Healthcare
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, CMS Plan Transition
Molina Healthcare of Florida, Children's Medical Services (CMS) Transition FAQs
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical, legal, or professional advice. It does not replace consultation with your child's physician, care team, or other qualified healthcare provider, and reading it does not create a provider-patient relationship with Home Heart Florida. Always follow the specific instructions and care plan provided by your child's medical team, and consult your child's doctor with any questions about your child's individual condition or care. If you believe your child is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.