The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Health Policy
BILL: CS/SB 1156
INTRODUCER: Health Policy Committee and Senator Harrell
SUBJECT: Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program
DATE: April 3, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Looke Brown HP Fav/CS
2. AHS
3. FP
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 1156 amends s. 400.4765, F.S., related to the Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile
Children (HHAMFC) program to:
• Reduce the training required to become a HHAMFC by:
o Eliminating the requirement that the training program must consist of at least 85 hours of
training;
o Reducing the required minimum number of hours of theoretical nursing instruction from
40 to 20; and
o Making the required 20 hours of skills training on basic nursing skills and the 16 hours of
required clinical training, maximum limits, rather than minimum requirements.
• Specify that the HHAMFC must complete an approved training program and the employing
home health agency must provide validation of the HHAMFC prior to providing services to
an eligible relative.
• Specify that basic nursing skills training and clinical training must be specific to the child’s
care needs.
• Increase the Medicaid utilization cap from eight hours per day to 12 hours per day.
• Provide that the $25 per hour Medicaid reimbursement rate is a minimum rate.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 2
• Require the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to seek federal approval to
allow providers to receive reimbursement under the program and to disregard the income
earned by a HHAMFC from the program when calculating eligibility for public assistance.
1
The bill amends s. 400.54, F.S., to require managed care plans to provide the AHCA with data
necessary to assess the rate and extent of hospitalizations for children attended by HHAMFCs
compared with those attended by a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). The
bill requires home health agencies to report adverse incidents within 48 hours of the incident,
defines the term “adverse incident,” and requires the AHCA to include data on adverse incidents
occurring under the care of a HHAMFC in the assessment.
The bill also requires the AHCA to make all necessary requests and submissions to obtain
federal approval and initiate any necessary rulemaking within 60 days of the act becoming law.
The provisions of the bill take effect upon the bill becoming a law.
II. Present Situation:
Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program
The HHAMFC Program was created by the Legislature in 2023, in response to the national
health care provider shortage and its impact on medically fragile children and their family
caregivers to provide an opportunity for family caregivers to receive training and gainful
employment.
2
Other Medicaid programs exist that pay a family member to provide home health
services to a Medicaid enrollee, but the HHAMFC Program is the only one that pays a family
member who is not a licensed nurse for the provision of home health services to a medically
fragile child.
The program allows a family caregiver to be reimbursed by Medicaid as a HHAMFC. To
qualify, the care must be provided to a relative who is 21 years old or younger with an
underlying physical, mental, or cognitive impairment that prevents him or her from safely living
independently. The relative must also be eligible to receive skilled care or respite care services
under the Medicaid program.
3
The family caregiver must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate a
minimum ability to read and write, and successfully pass background screening requirements.
The family caregiver must also complete an approved training program or have graduated from
an accredited prelicensure nursing education program and waiting to take the state licensing
exam.
4
The AHCA is required to reimburse a home health agency for services provided by a HHAMFC
at a rate of $25 per hour for up to 8 hours per day.
5
1
Section 414.0252, F.S., defines “public assistance” as benefits paid on the basis of the temporary cash assistance, food
assistance, Medicaid, or optional state supplementation program.
2
Chapter 2023-183, Laws of Fla.
3
Section 400.462(12), F.S.
4
Section 400.4765(2), F.S.
5
Section 400.4765(9), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 3
Training
The AHCA, in consultation with the Board of Nursing, approves HHAMFC training programs
developed by home health agencies. A training program must consist of at least 85 hours and
include at least 40 hours of theoretical instruction in nursing, 20 hours of skills training on basic
nursing, 16 hours of clinical training under the direct supervision of a licensed registered nurse,
and an unspecified minimum number of hours of training on HIV/AIDS infections. Additionally,
a HHAMFC must obtain and maintain a current certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) and complete 12 hours of annual in-service training each 12-month period. The training
on HIV/AIDS and CPR may be counted towards the 12 hours of in-service training.
6
The 40 hours of theoretical instruction in nursing must include the following topics:
• Person-centered care;
• Communication and interpersonal skills;
• Infection control;
• Safety and emergency procedures;
• Assistance with activities of daily living;
• Mental health and social service needs;
• Care of cognitively impaired individuals;
• Basic restorative care and rehabilitation;
• Patient rights and confidentiality of personal information and medical records; and
• Relevant legal and ethical issues.
The 20 hours of skills training must consist of basic nursing skills training in the following areas:
• Hygiene, grooming, and toileting;
• Skin care and pressure sore prevention;
• Nutrition and hydration;
• Measuring vital signs, height, and weight;
• Safe lifting, positioning, and moving of patients;
• Wound care;
• Portable oxygen safety and other respiratory procedures;
• Tracheostomy care;
• Enteral care and therapy;
• Peripheral intravenous assistive activities and alternative feeding methods; and
• Urinary catheterization and ostomy care.
A HHAMFC must complete the six hours of training required for home health aides under
s. 400.489, F.S., prior to administering medication upon delegation by a registered nurse.
A home health agency must offer training in various formats, and any interactive instruction
must be provided during various times of the day. If a HHAMFC allows 24 months to pass
without providing any personal care services to an eligible relative, the family caregiver must
retake all required training.
7
6
Section 400.4765(3), F.S.
7
Section 400.4765(3)(b), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 4
Authorized Tasks
A HHAMFC is authorized to perform certain tasks if delegated by a registered nurse, including
medication administration and tasks associated with:
8
• Activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, eating, maintaining continence,
toileting, and transferring;
• Maintaining mobility;
• Nutrition and hydration;
• Assistive devices;
• Safety and cleanliness;
• Data gathering;
• Reporting abnormal signs and symptoms;
• Postmortem care;
• End-of-life care;
• Patient socialization and reality orientation;
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency care;
• Residents’ or patients’ rights;
• Documentation of services performed;
• Infection control;
• Safety and emergency procedures;
• Hygiene and grooming;
• Skin care and pressure sore prevention;
• Wound care;
• Portable oxygen use and safety and other respiratory procedures;
• Tracheostomy care;
• Enteral care and therapy; and
• Peripheral intravenous assistive activities and alternative feeding methods.
Services provided by a HHAMFC must not duplicate private duty nursing services provided to
an eligible recipient and must result in a reduction in the number of private duty nursing service
hours provided to an eligible recipient.
9
Annual Assessment Report
The AHCA is required to conduct annual assessments of the HHAMFC Program and report their
findings by January 1 of each year to the Governor and the Legislature. The report must include
an assessment of caregiver satisfaction with the program, identify additional support that may be
needed by HHAMFC’s, and assess the rate and extent of the hospitalization of children receiving
home health services from a HHAMFC compared to those receiving traditional home health
services.
8
Section 400.462(18), F.S.
9
Section 400.4765(7), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 5
Federal Home Health Aide Regulations
Training
Pursuant to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) conditions of participation
(COPs), a Medicare certified home health agency must ensure that their employees or contractors
providing home health aide services comply with federal training and competency
requirements.
10
CMS provides four options to become a qualified home health aide, which include successful
completion of:
11
• A nurse aide training and competency evaluation program approved by the state as meeting
the requirements of 42 C.F.R., §§ 483.151 through 483.154, and is in good standing on the
state nurse aide registry (this is the option Florida used to implement the HHAMFC
Program); or
• A training and competency evaluation program that meets the provisions of
42 C.F.R., § 484.80 (b) and (c); or
• The requirements of a state licensure program that meets the provisions of
42 C.F.R., § 484.80 (b) and (c); or
• A competency evaluation program only that must include certain subject areas.
All of the options, except the competency evaluation program only option, require a minimum of
75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training.
12
A minimum of 16 hours of classroom
training must precede a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training as part of the 75
hours.
13
Competency Evaluation
A home health aide competency evaluation program must address certain subject areas, and a
registered nurse must observe the home health aide performing the task with a patient or pseudo-
patient.
14
These required subject areas include:
15
• Communication and interpersonal skills;
• Reading and recording vitals;
• Appropriate and safe techniques in performing personal hygiene and grooming tasks;
• Safe transfer techniques and ambulation; and
• Normal range of motion and positioning.
A home health aide competency evaluation program must also address other subject areas for
which a home health aide may be evaluated by written or oral examination, or by a simulated
experience with a patient or a pseudo-patient.
16
These required subject areas include:
17
10
42 C.F.R., § 484.80.
11
42 C.F.R., § 484.80(a).
12
42 C.F.R., § 484.80(b)(1).
13
42 C.F.R., § 484.80(b)(2).
14
42 C.F.R., § 484.80(c)(1).
15
42 C.F.R., § 484.80(b)(3)(i), (iii), (ix), (x), and (xi).
16
42 C.F.R., § 484.80(c)(1).
17
42 C.F.R., § 484.80(b)(3)(ii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (xii), (xiii), and (xiv). BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 6
• Observation, reporting, and documentation of patient status and the care of service furnished;
• Basic infection prevention and control procedures;
• Basic elements of body functioning and changes in body function that must be reported to an
aide’s supervisor;
• Maintenance of a clean, safe, and health environment;
• Safety and emergency procedures;
• The physical, emotional, and developmental needs of populations served by the home health;
• Adequate nutrition and fluid intake;
• Recognizing and reporting changes in skin condition; and
• Any other task that the home health agency may choose to have an aide perform as permitted
under state law.
Medicaid Coverage
Florida Medicaid includes requirements for HHAMFC, referred to as family home health aides
in Medicaid, in Rule 59G-4.261, Private Duty Nursing and Family Home Health Aide Services
Coverage Policy. Fee-for-service payment rates, procedure codes, and billing units for family
home health aide services are specified in Rule 59G-4.002, Provider Reimbursement Schedules
and Billing Codes. Currently, the AHCA reimburses for family home health aide servicers at a
rate of $25 per hour for a maximum of 8 hours per day for home health agencies that employ
parents or caregivers who qualify as HHAMFC.
Family home health aide services can be provided by a related provider, legal guardian, or
caretaker relative who is employed by a home health agency. This includes the aunt, brother,
brother-in-law, cousin, daughter, daughter-in-law, father, father-in-law, granddaughter,
grandfather, grandmother, grandson, great-grandfather, great-grandmother, half-brother, half-
sister, husband, mother, mother-in-law, nephew, niece, sister, sister-in-law, son, son-in-law,
stepbrother, stepdaughter, stepfather, stepmother, stepsister, stepson, uncle, or wife of the
recipient. The home health agency enrolls with Florida Medicaid as a provider type 65 with a
specialty 965 to provide family home health aide services if they meet the conditions of
participation in Medicare per 42 C.F.R. 440.70. A home health agency wishing to provide
private duty nursing services only may enroll with specialty 221. If a home health agency wishes
to provide family home health aide and private duty nursing services, it will need both 965 and
221 specialties on its file.
The Florida Department of Children and Families determines financial eligibility for Florida
Medicaid. Medicaid is an income-based program, and income earned by a family member
providing family home health aide services may impact a recipient’s Medicaid eligibility, as well
as their eligibility for other types of public assistance. Currently, any income earned by an
eligible caregiver employed by a home health agency and providing family home health aide
services is reported to DCF as earned income when applying for public assistance, including
Medicaid.
18
18
AHCA bill analysis for SB 1156, Feb. 27, 2025, (on file with Senate Health Policy Committee staff). BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 7
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
CS/SB 1156 amends s. 400.54, F.S., to require managed care plans to provide the AHCA with
data necessary to assess the rate and extent of hospitalizations for children attended by
HHAMFCs compared with those attended by a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse
(LPN). The AHCA is also required to include data on adverse incidents occurring under the care
of a HHAMFC in the assessment. The bill requires home health agencies to report all adverse
incidents occurring under the care of a HHAMFC to the AHCA and the managed care plan
within 48 hours after the incident occurs. The bill defines “adverse incident” for reporting
purposes to mean:
• Death.
• Brain or spinal damage.
• Permanent disfigurement.
• (Fracture or dislocation of bones or joints.
• A limitation of neurological, physical, or sensory function.
• An event that is reported to law enforcement personnel for investigation.
The bill amends s. 400.4765, F.S., related to the Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile
Children (HHAMFC) program to:
• Reduce the training required to become a HHAMFC by:
o Eliminating the requirement that the training program must consist of at least 85 hours of
training;
o Reducing the required minimum number of hours of theoretical nursing instruction from
40 to 20; and
o Making the required 20 hours of skills training on basic nursing skills and the 16 hours of
required clinical training maximum limits, rather than minimum requirements.
• Specify that before providing services to an eligible relative, a HHAMFC must complete an
approved training program. The employing home health agency must provide validation of
competency by a registered nurse and maintain documentation of training completion and
competency validation.
• Specify that basic nursing skills training and clinical training must be specific to the child’s
care needs. The employing home health agency must provide additional training and
competency validation as the medically fragile child’s care needs change and consistent with
any changes to the plan of care.
• Increase the Medicaid utilization cap from eight hours per day to 12 hours per day. The bill
specifies that if a HHAMFC works more than 40 hours per week, justification must be
provided as to why there is no other qualified provider available, and the request must be
approved by the home health agency and managed care plan.
• Provide that the $25 per hour Medicaid reimbursement rate is a minimum rate.
• Require the AHCA to, within 30 days after the bill becomes law, seek federal approval
through any necessary Medicaid waiver or state plan amendment to:
o Allow private duty nursing specialty providers and home health services providers to
receive reimbursement for services rendered under the program and BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 8
o Establish that the income earned by a HHAMFC from the program must be disregarded
when calculating eligibility for public assistance.
19
The bill amends s. 409.903, F.S., to require the AHCA to seek federal approval, including
seeking the appropriate federal waiver or state plan amendment, to exclude from the family’s
countable income any income earned through employment as a home health aide for medically
fragile children under s. 400.4765, F.S.
The bill also requires the AHCA to make all necessary requests and submissions to obtain
federal approval to implement the amendment made by this act to s. 409.903, F.S., and initiate
any necessary rulemaking to implement the amendment made by this act to s. 400.4765, F.S.,
within 60 days of the act becoming law.
The provisions of the bill take effect upon the bill becoming a law.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
19
Section 414.0252, F.S., defines “public assistance” as benefits paid on the basis of the temporary cash assistance, food
assistance, Medicaid, or optional state supplementation program. BILL: CS/SB 1156 Page 9
C. Government Sector Impact:
The AHCA indicates that CS/SB 1156 will have a fiscal impact on the Florida Medicaid
program in the amount of $1,569,500 with $671,589 coming from the General Revenue
fund.
20
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 400.4765 400.54,
and 409.903.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Health Policy on April 1, 2025:
The CS requires home health agencies to report adverse incidents to the AHCA as part of
the annual assessment reporting requirements for the home HHAMFC program. The
amendment defines “adverse incident” for the purposes of this reporting. The amendment
also requires an eligible relative to have completed an approved training program before
serving as a HHAMFC and requires the home health agency to provide validation of the
HHAMFC’s competency. Additionally, the amendment removes the direction to the
Division of Law Revision to add the effective date to the act in certain places and adds
direction to the AHCA to seek federal approval to implement changes made by the act
and initiate rulemaking within 60 days of the act becoming law.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
20
Supra n. 18.