Wait List

 

·        The agency is continuing to accept applications for Medicaid waiver services, and those names are being added to our wait list.  Currently more than 17,000 people are waiting to be enrolled in the Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waiver.  There is no freeze on being added to the waiver waiting list.

 

Fiscal Responsibility

 

·        The agency is committed to enhancing choices available to the individuals we serve, including the ability to access services available to people without disabilities. This is not possible, however, in an environment in which the agency has no effective means to manage its finances. Runaway spending by some customers denies others the ability to exercise meaningful choices in their lives.

 

·        The Medicaid waiver is to support families—not replace them. There are 17,000 people with developmental disabilities on the waiting list, many of whom receive no services at all.  It will take a more equitable distribution of available funds along with sound financial management practices to ever have any hope of reaching those waiting for assistance.

 

State Commitment to People with Disabilities

 

·        Public expenditures for the developmentally disabled waiver have more than quadroupled since Fiscal Year 1999-2000. More importantly, individuals with disabilities are afforded unprecedented personal choices and opportunities to live and participate in their communities in ways that were unheard of even 10 years ago.   

 

·        The state of Florida has made a strong commitment to people with Developmental Disabilities.  The state spends over $1 billion a year serving five developmental disabilities.  All of the approximate 50,000 people a year who receive services from APD barely have their basic health and safety needs met.

 

State Employees are Dedicated to People with Disabilities

·        Many APD employees have relatives with disabilities or have spent their entire careers dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. State employees are committed to making sure people with disabilities are included in their community and have the services they need to achieve that goals.

 

CDC+

 

·        The CDC+ program is part of the overall waiver budget. Utilization growth for the CDC+ program actually is higher than the Developmental Disabilities waiver.   All individuals enrolled on the CDC+ program have budgets and use the CDC+ option to design a purchasing plan based on that budget.  The Family and Supported Living Waiver is a capped waiver and is not operating at a deficit.

 

·        Consumer direction is a concept that allows individuals more participation and control of their paid service plan and natural and community supports. Examples of consumer direction built into the current waiver include individual choice of providers and receipt of a service at the time and place convenient to the individual receiving services.

Waiver Changes Due to Law

 

·        None of the adjustments in waiver services required by SB 1124 will cause someone to be institutionalized. There are safeguards in place to ensure that all needed basic supports will be provided to anyone currently receiving waiver services.

 

·        The 17,000 individuals on the waiting list are receiving little or no services and therefore are at a far higher risk of institutionalization than those currently receiving services.

 

·        The agency recognizes that changes in the waivers will impact all stakeholders. These adjustments are necessary to address the deficit so that APD can begin serving people waiting for services

 

·        Failure of an agency to operate within its budget is against the law.  For many years, waiver programs have offered a wide range of services to individuals with developmental disabilities.  The growing cost of services has caused the agency to experience its budget deficit.

 

·        Waiver rules require that Medicaid funds be the payer of last resort.  While some individuals may experience a reduction in service hours, there may be alternate services available to assist them.  This may include services through the waiver, as well as through natural/community supports and other state/federally funded programs.

 

Personal Care Assistance

 

·        Medicaid regulations require that Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment which is part of the Medicaid State Plan provide personal care assistance to those under the age of 21. APD is required to enforce this requirement in response to litigation by the Advocacy Center which alleges that personal care assistance services must be provided through the state plan pursuant to Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment provisions of federal law and that the waiver must be the payer of last resort. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities is working with the Agency for Healthcare Administration to design a transition plan to assist individuals in smoothly moving Personal Care services to the State Plan for individuals under 21.  This will ensure no gaps in service provision.  APD will assist AHCA in addressing provider capacity issues to ensure adequate service levels for this population.