The bill proposes a significant restructuring of the Children's Medical Services (CMS) Managed Care Plan by transferring its operation from the Department of Health to the Agency for Health Care Administration, effective July 1, 2025. This transition will include the transfer of all related statutory powers, duties, functions, records, personnel, and existing contracts. The bill mandates collaboration between the CMS program and the Agency to ensure high-quality, coordinated health services for children and youth with special health care needs, including conducting clinical eligibility screenings and ongoing consultations. Additionally, the Agency is tasked with establishing evaluation measures and contracting with an independent evaluator to assess the performance of the plans.

Furthermore, the bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes to reflect these changes, including the repeal of certain provisions related to the administration of the CMS program. It expands eligibility criteria to include children and youth with serious special health care needs up to 21 years of age and high-risk pregnant females enrolled in Medicaid. The bill also requires the Agency to develop a comprehensive plan for redesigning the Florida Medicaid Model Waiver for home and community-based services, focusing on tiered services to prevent institutional care. A detailed report on the redesigned waiver plan is mandated by September 30, 2025, to outline its purpose, eligibility criteria, implementation timeline, fiscal impact, and stakeholder involvement. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the support and services available to vulnerable populations while streamlining operations within the Medicaid program.

Statutes affected:
H 1085 Filed: 409.974, 391.016, 391.025, 391.026, 391.0315, 391.097, 409.166, 409.811, 409.813, 409.8134, 409.815, 409.8177, 409.818, 409.912, 409.9126, 409.9131, 409.920, 409.962, 409.968, 409.972
H 1085 c1: 409.906, 409.974, 391.016, 391.025, 391.026, 391.0315, 391.097, 409.166, 409.811, 409.813, 409.8134, 409.815, 409.8177, 409.818, 409.912, 409.9126, 409.9131, 409.920, 409.962, 409.968, 409.972