For Florida residents exploring options for Medicaid assistance to cover the costs of nursing homes or home and community-based services, understanding the medical eligibility requirements is crucial. This is where the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) Program plays a vital role. But What Is The Cares Program and how does it assist Floridians in accessing essential long-term care?
The CARES Program is fundamentally responsible for determining the medical eligibility, often referred to as the ‘level of care’, required for individuals seeking to access both home and community-based Medicaid waiver programs and Medicaid nursing home services within Florida. This assessment is a critical step in the Medicaid application process for long-term care, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate level of support based on their medical needs.
Delving Deeper into the CARES Program
The CARES assessment process is conducted by registered nurses or CARES assessors who are specifically trained to evaluate the long-term care needs of Medicaid applicants. These assessments are provided at no cost to the applicant and are designed to identify the most suitable and least restrictive care setting for each individual. Following the assessment, a CARES physician or registered nurse reviews the application and assessment findings to officially determine the applicant’s appropriate level of care. This thorough review ensures that medical eligibility decisions are made by qualified professionals, maintaining the integrity of the Medicaid long-term care system.
Elderly Woman in Wheelchair Receiving Water from Nurse in Retirement Home. Assisting Senior People
Who Administers the CARES Program?
The administration of the CARES Program is a collaborative effort between the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Agency for Health Care Administration. The Department of Elder Affairs takes the lead responsibility for the program, working in partnership with the Agency for Health Care Administration. To ensure statewide accessibility, CARES operates through 17 field offices located across Florida. The program is staffed by a diverse team of professionals, including physicians, registered nurses, assessors, administrative support staff, office supervisors, and regional program supervisors. Furthermore, a headquarters staff is dedicated to program and policy development, ensuring the CARES Program remains effective and responsive to the evolving needs of Florida’s senior population.
CARES Program Services and Activities
The CARES Program provides several key services and activities centered around determining medical eligibility for long-term care. These include:
- Determining Medical Eligibility for the Medicaid Institutional Care Program (ICP): This is a primary function, assessing individuals’ medical needs to qualify for care in a nursing facility under Medicaid.
- Determining Medical Eligibility for Medicaid Waivers for Home and Community-Based Services: CARES evaluates individuals to see if they meet the medical criteria for Medicaid waivers that allow them to receive long-term care services in their homes or community settings, rather than in institutions.
- Conducting Medical Assessments for Residents in Nursing Facilities Entering Court-Ordered Receivership: In situations where a nursing facility is placed under court-ordered receivership, CARES conducts medical assessments for the residents to ensure their continued care and appropriate placement.
CARES Program Eligibility
It’s important to understand that CARES focuses specifically on medical eligibility. To be eligible for long-term care Medicaid assistance in Florida, residents must meet both medical and financial eligibility criteria. The CARES Program is responsible for performing the comprehensive medical assessment to determine if an individual meets the State’s defined medical level of care requirements. Financial eligibility, on the other hand, is assessed separately by the Florida Department of Children and Families or the Social Security Administration.
For individuals seeking more detailed information regarding Long-Term Care eligibility and the overall process in Florida, resources are available online through the Agency for Health Care Administration website. Understanding the role of the CARES Program is a crucial first step for Florida residents navigating the complexities of accessing Medicaid support for long-term care services.
