Florida APD Plan for Eliminating Projected Deficit & Improving Management of Waivers

In this presentation of recommendations to solve a deficit problem, the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) said that increased utilization is the key cost driver. The agency has identified variables that drive costs: permanent enrollment once enrolled, always enrolled and no caps or limits on utilization other than medical necessity. To address the deficit, in February 2007, APD established a Systems Review Workgroup to make recommendations about more effective and cost efficient waiver service delivery.

Short-term recommendations for FY 07/08 included limiting non-residential support services, supported living coaching, support coordination for children under the age of 18, limiting homemaker services to 4 hours per week and companion services to 35 hours weekly and limiting chore services to 192 hours per quarter. The short-term recommendations also included elimination of the following services: homemaker services for individuals receiving either in-home support services or personal care assistance; eliminating chore and homemaker services for children; and eliminating psychological assessments as a waiver service. These recommendations were adopted in March 2007, and were projected to save about $16.6 million in total savings.