Florida Politics, a statewide media outlet that covers Florida politics and policy, reported yesterday on the upcoming distribution of supplemental federal funds for Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS).

Last year, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) received approval from the federal government to draw down $1.2 billion to enhance Medicaid HCBS programs, which have been disproportionately impacted by increased costs due to COVID-19, the rising minimum wage, and staffing shortages. More than 2,400 providers applied by the February 14 deadline. The money was split into three categories: $405 million for provider stipends, $266.6 million for retaining and hiring new employees, and $12 million for delayed egresses.

AHCA has yet to announce the distribution formula that it will use to disburse the funds or when providers can expect to receive them, despite the application period ending two months ago tomorrow.

HCAF has regularly contacted AHCA officials for these details, as well as other outstanding matters, such as the pending Medicaid provider enrollment policy change and the implementation of the nurse delegation law passed in 2020.

Our commitment is to keep pressure on AHCA through regular outreach and coordination with stakeholders who have a vested interest in seeing these long-sought issues resolved. Last week, an AHCA official informed HCAF staff that an announcement about HCBS funds will be made very soon. Until this issue is addressed, you can help to make home care providers' voices heard by signing a petition on behalf of your organization urging AHCA to prioritize the distribution of these funds.

In addition to the above-mentioned issues we are actively involved with, please use our online form if you would like us to assist you with any Medicaid-related matters (e.g., authorizations, denials, etc.).

Please stay tuned for more details as soon as they become available. Please feel free to call (850) 222-8967 or send us a message if you have any questions.

As always, thank you for your support of HCAF!