At Rainbow Smiles LLC, we know that navigating the world of ABA therapy and insurance can feel overwhelming, especially when major changes happen at the state level. If your child receives services through Florida’s Children’s Medical Services (CMS) program, you likely know that a significant transition just took place.

Our goal is to keep you informed, supported, and empowered. Here is everything you need to know about the recent CMS changes, how it impacts your child's therapy, and how we are moving forward at Rainbow Smiles LLC in Palm Beach County.

The Big Change: CMS Transitions to Molina Healthcare

Effective October 1, 2026, the operation of the Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Health Plan transitioned from Sunshine Health to Molina Healthcare across the state of Florida. Molina Healthcare is now the sole administrator for the CMS Health Plan. We understand that insurance changes can create anxiety, but having the right information is the first step toward peace of mind.

What This Implies for ABA Therapy, Waiting Times, and Continuity of Care

If your child is currently receiving ABA therapy, the most important thing to know is that your child's care should not abruptly stop. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and Molina Healthcare have established a Continuity of Care (CoC) period to ensure a smooth transition.

Here is what that implies for your family:

• Existing Authorizations: Existing prior authorizations will be honored by Molina Healthcare during the transition period.

• Grace Period: For members transitioning directly from Sunshine Health to Molina Healthcare, the continuity of care period can last up to 240 days, extending through May 29, 2027. The CoC period will end when the 240 days expire, when the current authorization ends, or when a new care plan is put in place—whichever comes first.

• Wait Times: Because current appointments and authorizations are protected during this CoC window, you shouldn't see immediate disruptions or increased waiting times for your child's currently approved therapy schedule.

Expect a Call from a Care Manager (And Please, Do Not Panic!)

Under Molina Healthcare, each CMS Plan member is assigned a dedicated Care Manager to help coordinate their health and well-being. In the coming weeks, your child's Care Manager will call you to plan a time to visit you and your child at your home.

Do not panic when you get this call. This outreach is not an attempt to cancel your services or scrutinize your parenting. Instead, it is a standard procedure meant to help you and your family get the exact help and resources you need. Approach this as a collaborative meeting to advocate for your child’s ongoing developmental goals.

Where Rainbow Smiles LLC Stands

We want to be fully transparent with our community. Rainbow Smiles LLC is not currently in-network with Molina Healthcare, and we do not service children covered under the Molina Healthcare CMS plan.

Provider contracts with Sunshine Health did not automatically transfer over to Molina. Because we are not contracted with Molina, families wishing to utilize the CMS Health Plan after the transition period will ultimately need to find an in-network Molina provider for their ABA therapy needs. We know this can be difficult news to hear, but we want you to have the time and clarity needed to make the best decisions for your child’s continuous care.

We Are Here for You: Accepted Programs

While we cannot accept Molina, our doors in Palm Beach County remain wide open for families seeking compassionate, high-quality ABA therapy through other avenues. We are currently welcoming kids and families funded through:

• Aetna

• The Step Up for Children Program

• Private Pay

We believe that every child deserves a bright, supportive path forward. Whether you are transitioning to a new provider through Molina or joining the Rainbow Smiles family through Aetna, Step Up for Children, or Private Pay, we are sending you all our support during this season of change.

References

Agency for Health Care Administration. (2026, September 28). AHCA issues reminder on October 1 CMS plan transition to Molina. Home Care Association of Florida. https://members.homecarefla.org/provider-updates/Details/ahca-issues-reminder-on-october-1-cms-plan-transition-to-molina-358327

Molina Healthcare of Florida. (2026). Children's Medical Services (CMS) plan transition FAQs. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://www.molinahealthcare.com/-/media/Molina/PublicWebsite/PDF/Providers/fl/medicaid/09-25-26-MHFL-CMS-Transition-FAQs-508.ashx

Molina Healthcare of Florida. (2026). Children's Medical Services(CMS) plan by Molina Healthcare and HHAeXchange. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://www.molinahealthcare.com/-/media/Project/PWS/Healthcare/PDF/PDF/Providers/FL/CMS/FAQ-and-Training/09-30-26-MHFL-CMS-Plan-HHAX-Townhall-508.pdf

Molina Healthcare of Florida. (2026). Medicaid CMS. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://www.molinahealthcare.com/medicaid/fl/cms

Pediatric Therapy Associates. (2026, June 12). Florida Medicaid CMS plan changes: What families and providers need to know about the 2026 transition. https://www.ppt4kids.com/florida-medicaid-cms-plan-changes-what-families-and-providers-need-to-know-about-the-2026-transition

Sunshine Health. (2026, April 30). CMS Health Plan transitions to Molina Healthcare on October 1, 2026. https://www.sunshinehealth.com/newsroom/cms.html