At our AFINS workshop on Friday, May 9th, we had a brief discussion about Managed Care with Jeannette Estes, Regional Operations Manager for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). The Florida Phoenix recently published an article about proposed legislation on this topic. If you don’t have time to read the full piece, here’s a quick summary:

Florida lawmakers have passed HB 1103, a bill that would significantly expand Medicaid managed care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Beginning in July 2026, the program would be available statewide to all Medicaid-eligible individuals with intellectual disabilities—including those currently enrolled in the iBudget program and the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) long-term care program.

The legislation stems from a pilot program launched in 2023, which aimed to serve up to 600 people in selected regions. As of May 5, only 358 individuals had enrolled, raising concerns about whether the system is ready for statewide implementation.

Advocates, including Valerie Breen, Executive Director of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, have expressed caution. They believe more data and experience from the pilot are needed before a full rollout. They also stress the importance of allowing individuals to choose their long-term services and supports.

The bill also calls for greater transparency within APD, especially around the management of the billion-dollar Medicaid iBudget program. However, despite bipartisan support, tensions between Governor Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez have raised the possibility of a veto.

In short, while HB 1103 aims to expand access to managed care and improve oversight at APD, there are still questions about the system’s readiness for a broader launch and the bill’s political future.