(1) The agency shall administer an individual budget, referred to as an iBudget, for each individual served by the home and community-based services Medicaid waiver program. The funds appropriated to the agency shall be allocated through the iBudget system to eligible, Medicaid-enrolled clients. For the iBudget system, eligible clients shall include individuals with a developmental disability as defined in s. 393.063. The iBudget system shall provide for: enhanced client choice within a specified service package; appropriate assessment strategies; an efficient consumer budgeting and billing process that includes reconciliation and monitoring components; a role for support coordinators that avoids potential conflicts of interest; a flexible and streamlined service review process; and the equitable allocation of available funds based on the client’s level of need, as determined by the allocation methodology.

(a) In developing each client’s iBudget, the agency shall use the allocation methodology as defined in s. 393.063(4). The allocation methodology shall determine the amount of funds allocated to a client’s iBudget.

(b) The agency may authorize funding based on a client having one or more of the following needs that cannot be accommodated within the funding determined by the algorithm and having no other resources, supports, or services available to meet the need:

1. An extraordinary need that would place the health and safety of the client, the client’s caregiver, or the public in immediate, serious jeopardy unless the increase is approved. However, the presence of an extraordinary need in and of itself does not warrant authorized funding by the agency. An extraordinary need may include, but is not limited to:

a. A documented history of significant, potentially life-threatening behaviors, such as recent attempts at suicide, arson, nonconsensual sexual behavior, or self-injurious behavior requiring medical attention;

b. A complex medical condition that requires active intervention by a licensed nurse on an ongoing basis that cannot be taught or delegated to a nonlicensed person;

c. A chronic comorbid condition. As used in this subparagraph, the term “comorbid condition” means a medical condition existing simultaneously but independently with another medical condition in a patient; or

d. A need for total physical assistance with activities such as eating, bathing, toileting, grooming, and personal hygiene.

2. A significant need for one-time or temporary support or services that, if not provided, would place the health and safety of the client, the client’s caregiver, or the public in serious jeopardy. A significant need may include, but is not limited to, the provision of environmental modifications, durable medical equipment, services to address the temporary loss of support from a caregiver, or special services or treatment for a serious temporary condition when the service or treatment is expected to ameliorate the underlying condition. As used in this subparagraph, the term “temporary” means a period of fewer than 12 continuous months. However, the presence of such significant need for one-time or temporary supports or services in and of itself does not warrant authorized funding by the agency.

3. A significant increase in the need for services after the beginning of the service plan year that would place the health and safety of the client, the client’s caregiver, or the public in serious jeopardy because of substantial changes in the client’s circumstances, including, but not limited to, permanent or long-term loss or incapacity of a caregiver, loss of services authorized under the state Medicaid plan due to a change in age, or a significant change in medical or functional status which requires the provision of additional services on a permanent or long-term basis that cannot be accommodated within the client’s current iBudget. As used in this subparagraph, the term “long-term” means a period of 12 or more continuous months. However, such significant increase in need for services of a permanent or long-term nature in and of itself does not warrant authorized funding by the agency.

4. A significant need for transportation services to a waiver-funded adult day training program or to waiver-funded employment services when such need cannot be accommodated within a client’s iBudget as determined by the algorithm without affecting the health and safety of the client, if public transportation is not an option due to the unique needs of the client or other transportation resources are not reasonably available.

The agency shall reserve portions of the appropriation for the home and community-based services Medicaid waiver program for adjustments required pursuant to this paragraph and may use the services of an independent actuary in determining the amount to be reserved.

(c) A client’s annual expenditures for home and community-based Medicaid waiver services may not exceed the limits of his or her iBudget. The total of all clients’ projected annual iBudget expenditures may not exceed the agency’s appropriation for waiver services.

(2) The Agency for Health Care Administration, in consultation with the agency, shall seek federal approval to amend current waivers, request a new waiver, and amend contracts as necessary to manage the iBudget system, improve services for eligible and enrolled clients, and improve the delivery of services through the home and community-based services Medicaid waiver program and the Consumer-Directed Care Plus Program, including, but not limited to, enrollees with a dual diagnosis of a developmental disability and a mental health disorder.

(3) A client must use all available services authorized under the state Medicaid plan, school-based services, private insurance and other benefits, and any other resources that may be available to the client before using funds from his or her iBudget to pay for support and services.

(4) Rates for any or all services established under rules of the Agency for Health Care Administration must be designated as the maximum rather than a fixed amount for individuals who receive an iBudget, except for services specifically identified in those rules that the agency determines are not appropriate for negotiation, which may include, but are not limited to, residential habilitation services.

(5) The agency shall ensure that clients and caregivers have access to training and education that inform them about the iBudget system and enhance their ability for self-direction. Such training and education must be offered in a variety of formats and, at a minimum, must address the policies and processes of the iBudget system and the roles and responsibilities of consumers, caregivers, waiver support coordinators, providers, and the agency, and must provide information to help the client make decisions regarding the iBudget system and examples of support and resources available in the community.

(6) The agency shall collect data to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the iBudget system.

(7) The agency and the Agency for Health Care Administration may adopt rules specifying the allocation algorithm and methodology; criteria and processes for clients to access reserved funds for extraordinary needs, temporarily or permanently changed needs, and one-time needs; and processes and requirements for selection and review of services, development of support and cost plans, and management of the iBudget system as needed to administer this section.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2010-157; s. 31, ch. 2011-135; s. 14, ch. 2016-65; s. 5, ch. 2016-140.