The bill proposes a major restructuring of Florida's Children's Medical Services (CMS) program by transferring its Managed Care Plan operations from the Department of Health to the Agency for Health Care Administration, effective July 1, 2025. This transition includes 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 provide care for children and youth with special health care needs, conduct clinical eligibility screenings, and ensure high-quality, coordinated health services. It also requires the Agency to establish evaluation measures and contract with an independent evaluator to assess service effectiveness, with results due to the Governor and Legislature by January 15, 2028.

Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for the CMS program to include children and youth with serious special health care needs from birth to 21 years and introduces the "Children's Medical Services Safety Net" program for those not qualifying for Medicaid or Title XXI. Families will contribute financially based on a sliding fee scale. The bill also amends various sections of Florida Statutes, repealing certain provisions related to the CMS network and modifying eligibility criteria for the Florida Kidcare program. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive plan to redesign the Florida Medicaid Model Waiver for home and community-based services, particularly for children receiving private duty nursing services, and mandates the Agency to submit a detailed report on this plan by December 31, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1490 Filed: 409.906, 409.974, 391.016, 391.025, 391.026, 391.0315, 391.035, 391.045, 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
S 1490 c1: 409.974, 391.016, 391.025, 391.026, 391.0315, 391.035, 391.045, 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
S 1490 c2: 409.974, 391.016, 391.025, 391.026, 391.0315, 391.035, 391.045, 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
S 1490 er: 409.974, 391.016, 391.025, 391.026, 391.0315, 391.035, 391.045, 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