This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning aging and disability services, with a primary focus on improving the management of long-term care services for Medicaid recipients. It eliminates expired enrollment requirements and replaces the existing wait list system with a pre-enrollment list managed by the Department of Elderly Affairs. The bill mandates that personnel from aging and disability resource centers oversee the pre-enrollment process, utilizing a priority scoring system based on a frailty-based screening tool. It also requires prerelease assessments and allows individuals meeting specific financial and medical criteria to enroll in long-term care managed care programs. Additionally, the bill revises the responsibilities of the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) program and introduces new procurement requirements for area agencies on aging.

Further, the bill establishes aging and disability resource centers to provide coordinated information and referral services for elderly individuals and adults with disabilities. It emphasizes prioritizing vulnerable adults in need of immediate services and restricts these centers from providing direct services beyond information and referral unless a waiver is obtained. The legislation also introduces operational and quality assurance standards for these centers, establishes the Florida Alzheimer's Center of Excellence to improve care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and enhances the enforcement capabilities of the Office of Public and Professional Guardians. Overall, the bill aims to streamline processes, enhance service delivery, and ensure that vulnerable populations receive timely assistance while maintaining confidentiality and operational standards.

Statutes affected:
S 1630 Filed: 409.983, 430.03, 430.2053, 430.503, 430.605, 430.901, 744.2003, 744.2004