iBUDGET FLORIDA Individualized Budgets For Those Served Through APD’s Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waiver (APD logo) Agency for Persons with Disabilities State of Florida - - - The Medicaid waiver system for people with developmental disabilities has had many changes recently. Another change is ahead— one that many people are excited about. iBudget Florida Simplicity Equity Self-Direction Sustainability - - - At the request of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) along with many stakeholders, the 2010 Legislature approved iBudget Florida. iBudget Florida will be a new way for people with developmental disabilities enrolled in the Medicaid waiver to get services. iBudget Florida will replace the tier system. APD will phase in this new program after receiving federal approval. The Waiver of the Future Is—iBudget Florida In iBudget Florida, you will get an annual budget amount up front. You will have a lot of control over which waiver services you spend it on. In many cases, no prior service authorization will be needed. Also, consumers who have been in Tier 4 will have a wider array of services to select from, including adult dental services. Funding will be fairer. Waiver support coordinators will have less paperwork to do and more time to help you. While these changes will benefit you, they will also help the waiver system be more stable and sustainable. The iBudget Florida system will help APD spend exactly the amount of funds the Legislature gives it for waiver services. In return for the new control, flexibility, and wider choice you will have in iBudget Florida, APD will need your help. You will need to carefully choose which needs you meet with your iBudget and make it last the whole year. Only people whose needs have changed dramatically can receive iBudget increases during the year. However, you will be able to easily change your cost plan to meet your changing needs within your iBudget. Your support coordinator will help you meet other needs through the Medicaid state plan, natural supports, and community resources. iBudget Florida will be a simpler and more equitable, self-directed, and sustainable system, giving you wider choices, greater flexibility, and more control. What Does the Waiver of the Future Look Like? APD and consumers, family members, support coordinators, and providers worked together to create a new waiver system. We asked ourselves: How could the waiver system be simpler? How could people choose and change their waiver services more quickly and easily, with less paperwork and need for prior service authorization (PSA) approvals? How could it be more equitable? How could funding be fairer, and how could people have access to more services— especially those in Tier 4? How could it be more self-directed? How could people have more control over the types and amounts of services they get? How could it be more sustainable? How could we ensure that APD will be there to serve consumers for the long term? How could APD avoid deficits and be able to serve those waiting for services? - - - iBudget Florida • Simplicity • Equity • Self-Direction • Sustainability - - - Agency for Persons with Disabilities 4030 Esplanade Way, Suite 380 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0950 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273) (850) 488-4257 apdcares.org JUNE 2010