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Understanding How to Apply for Medicaid Waiver in Florida

If you are waiting for there not to be a waitlist before you apply for Med Waiver, DON'T. If you are a parent of or a person with a developmental disability and live in the state of Florida, apply for Med Waiver today.... unless you already have. This video goes through the new steps of how to do this, what it is and why it's important to apply.

The following information is directly from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities:​

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Applying for Services

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In order to be eligible for services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (“APD”), an individual must have a developmental disability (as defined in section 393.063(12), Florida Statutes), which occurs prior to age 18 and constitutes a substantial handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely. Disabilities served by APD include:

 

As part of the application process, APD will request proof of a developmental disability diagnosis. Documentation of a developmental disability may include, but is not limited to, school records, testing, or medical records. APD may assist with the provision of a comprehensive assessment if necessary to definitively identify individual conditions or needs. Refer to the link below for more information on eligibility and applying for services.

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Only applicants whose domicile is in Florida are eligible for services. Domicile may be established as provided in section 222.17, Florida Statutes. Additionally, applicants must be at least 3 years of age to be determined eligible for services. Examples of documents that may be used as proof of domicile include: Florida Driver’s License or ID Card, Florida’s Voter Registration Card, Florida’s Court Filed Declaration of Domicile, Homestead exemption filing, mortgage or lease agreement, or employment/school records.

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If you have the proof of eligibility that you can provide with your application, it will streamline the eligibility review process. Otherwise, APD will assist you in obtaining the information.

Applicants who are in crisis (meaning they’re currently homeless, exhibit life-threatening behaviors that place them or others in extreme danger, or have a caregiver who is in extreme duress and can no longer provide for the applicant’s health and safety) should contact the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ regional office serving their county. The local regional office may be able to provide short term services and will review the situation to determine if a crisis waiver enrollment request is warranted. For more information regarding crisis criteria, please visit the Florida Administrative Code & Florida Administrative Register website at: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=65G-1

Children under the age of 3 with significant delays or a condition likely to result in a developmental delay are served by the Florida’s Early Steps Program within the Department of Health. For more information, please contact them at 1- (800) 218-0001 or visit their website at: http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/childrens-health/early-steps/index.html

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Florida Kidcare – Offers healthcare coverage for children from birth to age 18. There are 4 possible programs, including:  Medicaid, MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids, or the Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan. The eligibility for the various programs is determined based on the age of the child, family income, and household size.

For more information please contact Florida Kidcare at 1-888-540-KIDS (5437) or visit their website at: https://www.floridakidcare.org/

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Please visit APD’s Resource Directory for additional information related to available resources and organizations throughout the State of Florida.

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The Florida Navigator is an online tool designed to empower and inform individuals with developmental disabilities, caregivers, and professionals about specific State of Florida services.

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