On June 29, 2023, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) announced a six-month extension of the deadline for Medicaid providers to expend funds attributable to the increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for home- and community-based services (HCBS). The deadline, initially tomorrow, is now December 31, 2023. The following is the official announcement from AHCA sent to providers late this afternoon.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: FL ARPA HCBS EFO Timeframe Extension 

Please be advised the Agency has extended the timeframe to spend unused Florida American Rescue Plan Act (FL ARPA) funds that were distributed from the FL ARPA Enhanced Funding Opportunity.

Based on the report submitted for quarter 4 (January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023), the Agency identified the allotted funding that has not been spent under the FL APRA Home Community Based Services (HCBS) Enhanced Funding Opportunity. The Agency is extending to providers an additional period to spend awarded funds for the following opportunities that were announced on December 17, 2021:

• One-time provider stipend payments to support HCBS providers.
• One-time payments to aid eligible HCBS providers in recruiting and retaining qualified staff.

In addition, the Agency is granting an extension for the supplemental HCBS funding program announced on April 19, 2022, that provided additional support to those with 1099 workers. The Agency has extended the timeframe from June 30, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Please note, due to this extension, you will be responsible for submitting additional quarterly reports.

In a letter to AHCA Secretary Jason Weida dated May 12, 2023, HCAF called for the extension, arguing that it would give providers more time to use the funds to support staff recruitment and retention efforts. In the weeks since, HCAF has continued to advocate for the extension, meeting with Medicaid officials and raising awareness of the issue among policymakers.

This extension is a victory for Medicaid providers, who will now have more time to use the funds to support staff recruitment and retention efforts. The funds, which were made available through Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), represent the most significant investment in HCBS since the inception of Medicaid waivers.

In April 2021, HCAF encouraged the state to take advantage of the funding opportunity. Later that year, the state drew down over $1.1 billion from the federal government to support Medicaid HCBS. Payments came in the form of one-time stipends for HCBS providers, one-time payments to support staff recruitment and retainment efforts, and funds to purchase delayed egress systems for group homes and adult day training centers.

An HCAF public records request to AHCA indicates that 171 home health agencies and 80 nurse registries received funding under the program. The extension announced today will allow these providers to maximize the long-term impact of the funds for staff recruitment and retention.

AHCA Announces $181 Million in Additional Medicaid Support

Earlier this month, AHCA announced that an additional $181 million would be distributed as a one-time, non-waiver retention payment opportunity for eligible Medicaid HCBS providers. Eligible providers are current, active Medicaid providers in good standing with Florida Medicaid that billed claims and were reimbursed by Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) health plans for the following provider type (PT) fee schedules between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.

• Assistive Care Services (PT 14)
• Community Behavioral Health (PT 05)
• Durable Medicaid Equipment (A, E, K, B, and T codes only; PT 90)
• Home Health Visit Services (PT 65)
• Personal Care Services (PT 65)
• Private Duty Nursing Services (PT 65)

It is not necessary for eligible providers to submit an application or to report on this one-time funding opportunity. Payments will be based on a 19% rate increase applied to non-waiver HCBS claims for allowable services as outlined above. Additional funds are subject to the newly extended deadline.

Protect Your Interests in Tallahassee: Support the Home Care PAC!

The Home Care Political Action Committee (PAC) is committed to bolstering the political influence of the home care industry. We achieve this by pooling financial resources and supporting candidates who will effectively represent our interests in Tallahassee. As a voluntary, non-profit, and non-partisan organization, the PAC operates independently of HCAF membership dues and is regulated by the Florida Division of Elections.

Your contribution will make a meaningful impact by supporting Florida political candidates who are dedicated to advancing public policies that benefit the home care provider community. Individuals and businesses are welcome to contribute, and there are no contribution limits.

Please participate in the Home Care PAC's fundraising campaign, which seeks to raise $50,000 for the 2024 election. Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to make a significant and enduring impact on the future of home care. 

Click here to make a contribution online.