FL S0452

Establishes a Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children program in Florida to address health care worker shortages, allowing trained family caregivers aged 18+ to provide nursing-related services to Medicaid-eligible relatives aged 21 or younger who require continuous skilled nursing or skilled nursing respite care

Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration, in consultation with the Board of Nursing, to approve training programs consisting of at least 85 hours, including 40 hours of theoretical nursing instruction, 20 hours of skills training, and 16 hours of clinical training under a registered nurse's supervision

Sets a Medicaid reimbursement rate of $25 per hour for home health agencies employing these aides, with a utilization cap of no more than 8 hours per day; services reduce the eligible relative's private duty nursing hours and may not be provided concurrently with private duty nursing services

Requires annual program assessments by the agency beginning January 1, 2025, reporting on caregiver satisfaction, additional support needs, and hospitalization rates of children served by these aides compared to those without, with findings submitted to the Governor and Legislature

Appropriates $353,589 in recurring funds and $118,728 in nonrecurring funds from the Health Care Trust Fund, along with four full-time equivalent positions, for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to implement the program