FL S0542

Expands the nursing home diversion program to include all Medicaid recipients age 60 or older who meet nursing home admission criteria and those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, with phased implementation in Areas 5, 6, and 7 initially, Areas 8-11 in 2013, and Areas 1-4 in 2014.

Requires all Medicaid recipients to be given a choice of nursing home diversion contractors and mandates contractors inform enrollees of alternative service options before institutional placement.

Combines all Medicaid funding sources for eligible elderly and dually eligible individuals into the integrated program, including nursing home services, home and community-based waiver services, and Medicare cost-sharing.

Excludes individuals enrolled in specified waiver programs (developmental disabilities, family and supported-living, Project AIDS Care, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, consumer-directed care) and those in all-inclusive care for the elderly program from mandatory enrollment.

Requires the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to evaluate nursing home diversion contractors and submit findings to state leadership by December 31, 2014, and directs the Department of Elderly Affairs and Agency for Health Care Administration to seek federal waivers to limit contractor numbers in additional locations.