(1) ELIGIBLE PLANS.—Provider service networks must be long-term care provider service networks. Other eligible plans may be long-term care plans or comprehensive long-term care plans.

(2) ELIGIBLE PLAN SELECTION.—The agency shall select eligible plans through the procurement process described in s. 409.966. The agency shall procure:

(a) Two plans for Region 1. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(b) Two plans for Region 2. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(c) At least three plans and up to five plans for Region 3. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(d) At least three plans and up to five plans for Region 4. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service network submits a responsive bid.

(e) At least two plans and up to four plans for Region 5. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(f) At least four plans and up to seven plans for Region 6. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(g) At least three plans and up to six plans for Region 7. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(h) At least two plans and up to four plans for Region 8. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(i) At least two plans and up to four plans for Region 9. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(j) At least two plans and up to four plans for Region 10. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

(k) At least five plans and up to 10 plans for Region 11. At least one plan must be a provider service network if any provider service networks submit a responsive bid.

If no provider service network submits a responsive bid in a region other than Region 1 or Region 2, the agency shall procure no more than one less than the maximum number of eligible plans permitted in that region. Within 12 months after the initial invitation to negotiate, the agency shall attempt to procure a provider service network. The agency shall notice another invitation to negotiate only with provider service networks in regions where no provider service network has been selected.

(3) QUALITY SELECTION CRITERIA.—In addition to the criteria established in s. 409.966, the agency shall consider the following factors in the selection of eligible plans:

(a) Evidence of the employment of executive managers with expertise and experience in serving aged and disabled persons who require long-term care.

(b) Whether a plan has established a network of service providers dispersed throughout the region and in sufficient numbers to meet specific service standards established by the agency for specialty services for persons receiving home and community-based care.

(c) Whether a plan is proposing to establish a comprehensive long-term care plan and whether the eligible plan has a contract to provide managed medical assistance services in the same region.

(d) Whether a plan offers consumer-directed care services to enrollees pursuant to s. 409.221.

(e) Whether a plan is proposing to provide home and community-based services in addition to the minimum benefits required by s. 409.98.

(4) PROGRAM OF ALL-INCLUSIVE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.—Participation by the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) shall be pursuant to a contract with the agency and not subject to the procurement requirements or regional plan number limits of this section. PACE plans may continue to provide services to individuals at such levels and enrollment caps as authorized by the General Appropriations Act.

(5) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE SPECIAL NEEDS PLANS.—Participation by a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan shall be pursuant to a contract with the agency that is consistent with the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-275. Such plans are not subject to the procurement requirements if the plan’s Medicaid enrollees consist exclusively of dually eligible recipients who are enrolled in the plan in order to receive Medicare benefits as of the date the invitation to negotiate is issued. Otherwise, Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans are subject to all procurement requirements.

History.—s. 22, ch. 2011-134; s. 10, ch. 2012-44; s. 103, ch. 2014-17.