Alicia Smith

Alicia Smith specializes in public behavioral health policy and reimbursement. She is currently assisting several states obtain federal approval of Medicaid health home services and has worked successfully with the first two states in the nation to receive approval of their Medicaid health home state plan amendments.

With more than 15 years of health care experience, Alicia draws from her considerable knowledge of federal Medicaid regulations to assist clients in devising appropriate behavioral health coverage strategies. As a former Medicaid policy analyst, she utilizes her expertise in benefits design to develop compliant and sustainable behavioral health programs. With the advent of federal health care reform, Alicia has been called upon to assist state Medicaid agencies, state and local mental health authorities, managed care organizations, trade associations and others understand the challenges and opportunities under the Affordable Care Act.

Prior to joining HMA, Alicia operated a consulting practice and assisted state and local behavioral health authorities and providers with advancing their efforts to improve access and financing for behavioral health services.
As deputy director of Resources for Recovery, a national grant program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Alicia assisted states with identifying and implementing strategies for the expansion of alcohol and other drug treatment resources. She served as a health care consultant with one of the nation’s largest law firms specializing in behavioral health care. She also worked as a Medicaid health services administrator for the Ohio Medicaid program, developing programs and policies for a variety of community-based and institutional services.
Alicia earned her master’s degree in health administration from The Ohio State University and her bachelor’s degree from Central State University.

Alicia has served on the board of trustees of Community Housing Network, a supportive housing provider, and as a member of the Rebuilding Lives Update Strategy Committee which plans and addresses homelessness in Franklin County, Ohio.