The Nursing Home Diversion program uses a managed care delivery system to assist elders who qualify for nursing home placement to remain in the community for as long as possible. The typical diversion participant in 2004 was a widowed, white, female who was age 85 or older.
The program offers a variety of services such as personal care, homemaker, and meal delivery to help clients living at home. Long-term residential services in assisted living facilities or nursing homes are provided for clients no longer able to live at home or with a caretaker. The diversion program also provides medical services such as emergency care, doctor visits, and rehabilitation services.
The most frequently used diversion services in 2004 were case management, prescribed drugs, and assisted living facility services. The mix of services depended primarily on whether clients lived at home or in a facility. Service mix also differed based on age and frailty level. As older and more frail clients were more likely to live in a facility, they were more likely to receive bundled services provided by facilities. In contrast, the younger and less frail were more likely to receive services in their homes.

The State Could Consider Several Options to Maximize Its Use of Funds for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
Report 10-33 March 2010
The Alzheimer's Disease Waiver Program Does Not Delay Nursing Home Entry More Effectively Than Other Waivers and Costs the State More Per Participant Than Most Waivers That Serve Similar Persons
Report 10-23 February 2010
Several Factors Can Delay Eligibility Determination for Medicaid Long-Term Care
Report 07-12 February 2007
OPPAGA Report: The Nursing Home Diversion Program Has Successfully Delayed Nursing Home Entry
Report 06-45 May 2006

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.