The bill, HB 1085, proposes the transfer of the operation of the Children's Medical Services (CMS) Managed Care Plan from the Department of Health to the Agency for Health Care Administration, effective July 1, 2025. This transition includes the transfer of all statutory powers, duties, functions, records, personnel, and existing contracts related to the CMS Managed Care Plan. The bill mandates collaboration between the CMS program and the agency to provide care for children and youth with special health care needs, conduct clinical eligibility screenings, and ensure high-quality, coordinated health services. Additionally, the agency is required to seek federal approval to amend the state's Medicaid Model Waiver to include services for medically fragile children receiving private duty nursing services.

The bill also amends several sections of Florida Statutes to align with the changes brought about by this transfer, including revisions to definitions, eligibility requirements, and the scope of the CMS program, while repealing outdated provisions. It expands eligibility criteria for the Children's Medical Services Safety Net program to include children and youth with serious special health care needs up to 21 years of age and modifies existing definitions for the Florida Kidcare program. Furthermore, the bill establishes a program of all-inclusive care for children with life-threatening illnesses, which will provide in-home hospice-like support services. Notably, it removes the requirement for children to be enrolled in the Children's Medical Services network to qualify for these services, streamlining access and potentially expanding the scope of care for children with special health care needs.

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