The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has recently issued two Notices of Proposed Rule related to the Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children program, implemented by the 2023 Florida Legislature. As we approach the final stages of the rulemaking process, your input is crucial.

Upcoming Workshop and Public Hearing

A public hearing for the proposed rule amendments has been scheduled:

Wednesday, July 31, 2024
1:00-2:00 PM ET
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3
Tallahassee, FL 32308

HCAF staff will be in attendance at the in-person workshop, and we need your comments as soon as possible to effectively advocate for providers.

Update (July 29, 2024): AHCA has announced a virtual meeting attendance option for the workshop. Virtual attendees may participate via Teams (click here) or by phone by calling (850) 792-4898 and entering the conference ID 874030209#.

Proposed Rule Amendments

Rule 59G-4.261: Private Duty Nursing Services

• Title updated to "Private Duty Nursing and Family Home Health Aide Services."
• Incorporates the "Florida Medicaid Private Duty Nursing and Family Home Health Aide Services Coverage Policy."
• Includes new definitions, technical changes, and updates to align with section 400.4765 of the Florida Statutes.
• Applicable to all providers delivering Florida Medicaid private duty nursing and family home health aide services.

Rule 59G-4.130: Home Health Visit Services

• Incorporates the updated Florida Medicaid Home Health Visit Services Coverage Policy.
• Includes technical changes and updates to align with section 400.4765 of the Florida Statutes.
• Providers must comply with the updated coverage policy and use the incorporated forms available on the AHCA website.

A preliminary draft of the proposed rules can be accessed on the AHCA website here.

Submit Your Feedback

• HCAF Feedback Submission: An HCAF representative will be attending the upcoming workshop to advocate for the Medicaid provider community. We need your comments as soon as possible to ensure your concerns are effectively represented. Please share your feedback with Kyle Simon, Senior Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications, at ksimon@homecarefla.org.
• Written Comments: Submit your comments directly to AHCA at MedicaidRuleComments@ahca.myflorida.com by 5:00 PM ET on Thursday, August 1.

This is very likely the final opportunity to weigh in on the program now that the minimum training requirements regulations have been published and go into effect on July 23. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of this program.

Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback and support for HCAF!