Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Profile of Florida's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers

Report 11-03, January 2011




Report Summary

  • OPPAGA produced this profile of Florida's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers as a descriptive resource for policy makers and stakeholders. The profile provides uniform information about each waiver including eligibility criteria, services provided, persons served, expenditures, and the state agency responsible for operating the waiver program.
  • Medicaid HCBS waivers are authorized by Section 2176 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 and incorporated into Title XIX of the Social Security Act as Section 1915(c). States can use this authority to offer a broad array of services not otherwise available through Medicaid that are intended to prevent or delay institutional placement. Florida's HCBS waivers vary on a number of dimensions. Some waivers are limited to persons with specific disease states or physical conditions (such as persons with cystic fibrosis); others serve broader groups (such as persons who are elderly and/or have disabilities). Waivers also differ with respect to the number and types of services provided, payment method, and whether waiver services are available statewide or limited to a few counties. In Fiscal Year 2010-11, the Legislature appropriated $1.36 billion to state agencies to serve beneficiaries in these 14 waivers. Of this amount, the Legislature appropriated $7.9 million for transitioning individuals from nursing home care to the community.


Related Reports
  1. Profile of Florida's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers
    Report 13-07 March 2013
  2. The State Could Consider Several Options to Maximize Its Use of Funds for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
    Report 10-33 March 2010
  3. 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
  4. Profile of Florida's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers
    Report 10-10 January 2010
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.
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.
long-term care, elders, waivers, Medicaid waivers, Florida Medicaid waivers, home and community-based services, Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waivers