The bill proposes a significant restructuring of the Children's Medical Services (CMS) Managed Care Plan, transferring its operation from the Department of Health to the Agency for Health Care Administration, effective July 1, 2025. It mandates collaboration between the CMS program and the agency to ensure comprehensive care for children and youth with special health care needs, including clinical eligibility screenings and ongoing consultations. The agency is also tasked with establishing evaluation measures for the services provided and contracting an independent evaluator to assess performance and quality of care. Additionally, the bill introduces the "Children's Medical Services Safety Net" program to support children who do not qualify for Medicaid or Title XXI, requiring families to contribute financially based on a sliding fee scale.

The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes, expanding eligibility for the CMS program to include children and youth with serious special health care needs from birth to 21 years. It repeals certain provisions related to the CMS network and introduces new provisions emphasizing contracts with agencies serving these children. The bill also outlines a timeline for the repeal of specific sections by January 1, 2026, and mandates the Agency for Health Care Administration to develop a comprehensive plan for redesigning the Florida Medicaid Model Waiver for home- and community-based services for children receiving private duty nursing services. This plan aims to prevent institutional care and ensure children can remain in home or community settings, with a detailed report due 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