Florida’s Medicaid waiver programs, also known as Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, provide funding for long-term care services for individuals who require a nursing facility level of care but wish to receive care in their home or an assisted living facility. Key programs include the Medicaid Long-Term Care (LTC) Waiver for seniors and adults with disabilities, and the Katie Beckett Option for medically fragile children. Eligibility requires meeting both medical and financial criteria, and there are waitlists for some programs.

In-home services may include assistance with personal care, homemaking, respite care, personal emergency response units, case management, caregiver training, and support, as well as specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies.

How to Apply

1. To apply for services call the ADRC Helpline at 954.745.9779

When the applicant senior is not in a nursing home, the application process starts with a call to the Florida senior’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Callers should request a screening for home and community based services. The representative schedules a time for the phone screening with the primary caregiver or closest family member, usually one to two weeks out.

Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services Division
1 N University Dr Plantation FL 33324
Andrea Busada, Project Director
The office hours are Monday – Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Telephone Number to apply for services: 954.357.6622

Southwest Focal Point Senior Center Carl Shechter
Campus 301 NW 103rd Ave Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
The office hours are Monday – Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
To apply for services contact the ADRC Helpline at 954-745-9779

2. Schedule a Waitlist Screening:

The screening interview typically lasts 30 to 40 minutes. The interview covers basic demographic information for the applicant as well as his/her income and assets. The interview mostly asks about the elder’s needs for care, including his/her ability to perform Activities of Daily Living.

Following the interview, the elder receives a prioritization decision. This letter indicates whether services can begin immediately or whether the senior needs to be waitlisted. If the senior is prioritized for home or community (assisted living) supports to start immediately, he/she must apply to the Department of Children and Family Services through the ACCESS System (online application) for their formal Medicaid approval. (https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com/)
https://www.adrcbroward.org/home-services

3. Have a Medical Provider Complete It:

A Florida-licensed physician, APRN, or PA must complete the form.

4. Apply for Medicaid:

Submit an application to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) through the ACCESS Florida portal.
https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com/

5. Return the Form to the ADRC: 

Submit the completed form to the ADRC to move forward with enrollment.

To obtain a medical certification for long-term care services using Medicaid in Florida, the AHCA Form 5000-3008, “Medical Certification for Medicaid Long-Term Care Services and Patient Transfer Form,” must be completed by the individual’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and then signed by a Florida-licensed physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (ARNP), or Physician Assistant (PA). The form is used by the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) Program to determine medical eligibility and the need for a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC).

Steps to Obtain Medical Certification:
1. Contact the ADRC: After release from the waiting list, the ADRC will contact you to assess your interest in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care program.
2. Receive the Form: If you are interested, the ADRC will provide you with the AHCA Form 5000-3008.
3. Medical Provider Completion: You must have a Florida-licensed physician, ARNP, or PA complete the form.
4. Return the Form: The completed form must be returned to the ADRC.

What the Form Does:
✅Determines Medical Eligibility: The form is part of the CARES program to determine if an individual meets the medical eligibility criteria for Florida Medicaid’s SMMC LTC program. https://www.flmedicaidmanagedcare.com/
✅Assesses Need for Nursing Facility Level of Care: The form is used to determine if the individual requires a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC), evaluating their ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as mobility, bathing, and toileting, as well as cognitive or behavioral issues.
✅Ensures Provider Signatures: The form must be signed by a Florida-licensed physician, ARNP, or PA.

Key Points:
✅Form 5000-3008: This is the specific form used for the medical certification process.
✅Florida License Required: The medical provider must be licensed to practice in Florida.
✅Part of a Larger Process: The medical certification is just one step in the overall process, which also includes financial eligibility determination by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and enrollment into an LTC plan