Another Thank You to the Legislature and Governor. Meeting the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the community has been a major theme throughout the state, especially during delegation meetings last fall and again when the Legislature was in session. The Legislature is committed to clearing the Pre-enrollment Categories, often called by families the Waiting List, in the near future. Last legislative session, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, lawmaking to add 2,619 people onto the HCBS Waiver, or the new Pilot Program, equaling approximately $158.4 million in total funding.

Introducing the Pilot Program. In 2023, the Legislature created a new pilot program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) on the Pre-enrollment List, often called the Waiting List. These people will soon receive letters if they qualify for the program. Eligibility requirements for the new pilot: (1) individuals must be on the Pre-enrollment List for the HCBS waiver, (2) individuals must reside in the Pilot area, which includes Miami-Dade, Monroe, Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, and (3) individuals must be 18 years of age and older. Due to the cap on available funding, this program is first-come, first-serve. Florida Community Care (FCC), a statewide Medicaid managed long term care plan, will manage this new program. The program is expected to go live in October.

What it means for Self-Advocates: Services covered in the “Pilot” for those with I/DD include life skills development, personal supports, residential services, transportation, long term care, and Managed Medical Assistance. If an individual chooses this program to receive services, they will be afforded an opportunity to enroll in any appropriate existing Medicaid waiver program if they have been in the program for a year and voluntarily disenroll, or if the pilot program ceases to operate. (See section 409.9855(2)(d). Florida Community Care has added other benefits to the Pilot Program not currently offered on the HCBS waiver. These includes guardianship benefits, dental desensitization kits, bed holds, specialized camps, recreational therapy, caregiver transportation, and gym membership just to name a few. The success of this program will be measured and based on the views of families and other statistics.

What it means to Providers: Providers who sign up with Florida Community Care (FCC) will see benefits from participating in a managed care model. FCC is committed to (1) innovative payment arrangements, including advanced payment for some services, (2) higher negotiated rates, and (3) flexible and simplified processes. They pledge to listen to providers, families, and self-advocates with the flexibility to improve the program as needed. 

We want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to all our sponsors!

ABLE United

CareSource

Children’s Medical Services Health Plan (operated by Sunshine Health) Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL)

Florida Association of Community Health Care Centers

Florida Community Care

Florida Home Health Equipment & Supplies

Florida Insurance Trust

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Kaye Kendrick Enterprises

Liberty Dental Plan

Park Shore Pharmacon

Sandata Technologies

Therap

The Arc of South Florida

The Florida Certified Board

Thank you for your advocacy! If you want additional information regarding these issues, please contact our CEO Alan Abramowitz at alan@arcflorida.org or 850.241.3232.

https://www.arcflorida.org/