The Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) has submitted detailed feedback to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) regarding the proposed amendment to Rule 59G-4.261 of the Florida Administrative Code. This proposal, focusing on Private Duty Nursing and Family Home Health Aide Services, was discussed during a rulemaking workshop on July 31. The new program, known in law as the Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children, was enacted by HB 391 during the 2023 Florida Legislative Session and is expected to launch later this year.

HCAF's feedback, grounded in input from Medicaid home health agencies across Florida, highlights several key concerns:

• Program Implementation: Clear communication about the program start date, training requirements, and authorization procedures.
• Caregiver Roles: Defining distinctions between informal caregivers and paid family home health aides.
• Eligibility and Reimbursement: Clarifying Medicaid eligibility for participating families and ensuring appropriate reimbursement rates.
• Quality and Safety: Establishing robust monitoring and oversight mechanisms to safeguard patient care.

Additionally, we stressed the importance of clear communication on training certification validity, service hour allocations, and defining the roles of paid aides versus informal caregivers to ensure consistent standards and safeguard patient care, among other critical topics. To read the letter, click here.

HCAF is committed to ensuring the successful implementation of this program. We offered our expertise to help finalize the rule and collaborate with AHCA on this critical initiative, underscoring our dedication to advocating for the Medicaid provider community and improving care for medically fragile children in Florida.

Membership in HCAF means having a strong, unified voice advocating for your interests and ensuring the highest standards of home health care across Florida. We stand ready to work with AHCA to refine the policy and address potential challenges, ensuring the program's success and protecting the interests of home health agencies and the patients they serve.

Related:

• AHCA Announces Proposed Rule Amendments for Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program
• AHCA Publishes Final Rule on Minimum Training Requirements for Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children