The Florida Senate

430.705  Implementation of the long-term care community diversion pilot projects.--

(1)  In designing and implementing the community diversion pilot projects, the department shall work in consultation with the agency.

(2)  The department shall select projects whose design and providers demonstrate capacity to maximize the placement of participants in the least restrictive appropriate care setting.

(3)  The department shall provide to prospective participants a choice of participating in a community diversion pilot project or any other appropriate placement available. To the extent possible, individuals shall be allowed to choose their care providers, including long-term care service providers affiliated with an individual's religious faith or denomination.

(4)  The department shall enroll participants. Providers shall not directly enroll participants in community diversion pilot projects.

(5)  In selecting the pilot project area, the department shall consider the following factors in the area:

(a)  The nursing home occupancy level.

(b)  The number of certificates of need awarded for nursing home beds for which renovation, expansion, or construction has not begun.

(c)  The annual number of additional nursing home beds.

(d)  The annual number of nursing home admissions.

(e)  The adequacy of community-based long-term care service providers.

(6)  The department may require participants to contribute to their cost of care in an amount not to exceed the cost-sharing required of Medicaid-eligible nursing home residents.

(7)  Community diversion pilot projects must:

(a)  Provide services for participants that are of sufficient quality, quantity, type, and duration to prevent or delay nursing facility placement.

(b)  Integrate acute and long-term care services, and the funding sources for such services, as feasible.

(c)  Encourage individuals, families, and communities to plan for their long-term care needs.

(d)  Provide skilled and intermediate nursing facility care for participants who cannot be adequately cared for in noninstitutional settings.

History.--s. 5, ch. 97-87; s. 1, ch. 98-184.