The Agency for Health Care (AHCA) and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) have started developing an alternative delivery model for home-and community-based services, commonly referred to as the “iBudget waiver.” The Florida Legislature directed the agencies to identify services that are essential for client health and safety and to recommend the elimination of other services that are too expensive.
AHCA and APD are not allowed to implement any changes. The Legislature must approve any recommendations. The agencies submitted a progress report to the Legislature on July 31. A second progress report is due on August 31 with the final recommendations on September 30.
APD has an annual budget of $1.4 billion. The iBudget provides services to more than 34,500 Floridians with developmental disabilities with an additional 21,900 individual on a waiting list. The program spends approximately $33,600 per to keep people living in the community, compared to $120,000 for individuals who are in an institutional setting.
Assistive technology covered by the iBudget includes vehicle modifications, power and manual mobility devices including strollers, ramps, lifts, adaptive car seats, communication devices, and home modifications.