The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has issued a provider alert regarding the mandatory Direct Care Workforce Survey for specific health care provider types. According to 2020-009, Laws of Florida, home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and homemaker/companion service providers must complete the survey during each biennial renewal. Failure to submit the survey will result in licensure denial.

The purpose of the survey is to gather information about various types of direct care workers. Once the rule is finalized, providers will be asked to provide details such as the number of direct care workers, vacancy and turnover rates, wages, employment benefits, and available training opportunities. AHCA will regularly review and analyze the collected data and publish the results on its website in an effort to assist policymakers and stakeholders in addressing the shortage of direct care workers.

Given the alarming 77% caregiver turnover rate in the home health sector, HCAF strongly encourages providers to submit candid and detailed information when completing the survey to accurately reflect the magnitude of the workforce shortage.

To complete the survey, providers must use the AHCA Online Licensing System. If you do not have an AHCA Portal account, you must register for one by clicking here and following the provided instructions. Click here for more information, including an instructional video to create an account.