TRANSITION SERVICES PROVIDER IN FLORIDA

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 9
4 min read

SUPPORTING SUCCESSFUL MOVEMENT FROM INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS TO COMMUNITY-BASED INDEPENDENT LIVING

Transition Services in Florida help individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other long-term care needs move safely and successfully from institutional settings—such as nursing homes, hospitals, or intermediate care facilities—into homes or community-based living arrangements. These services are authorized under Florida’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, promoting independence, dignity, and person-centered living.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, transition funding, and compliance with HCBS rules

Agency: Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) (for individuals with developmental disabilities)Role: Coordinates transition planning and service delivery for APD waiver participants

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Transition Services meet Medicaid HCBS settings and person-centered standards

2. TRANSITION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Transition Services provide essential supports to assist individuals in relocating from institutional or group settings to private homes, family residences, or other community-based environments.

Approved providers may deliver:

Assessment and transition planning
Coordination of housing arrangements and securing leases
Purchase of essential household items (e.g., furniture, cookware, bedding)
Moving expenses and utility setup fees
One-time security deposits and connection fees (e.g., electric, water)
Education on independent living skills and community resource access
Short-term transition case management and support

Transition services must align with the participant’s person-centered service plan and must be one-time, non-recurring expenses necessary to establish a basic household.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Complete APD Qualified Provider Application or Medicaid waiver application (depending on the population served)
Maintain general liability insurance
Develop procedures for assessment, transition planning, purchasing, and financial tracking
Staff must meet competency standards related to case management, community resource navigation, and Medicaid compliance

4. APD/AHCA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request Transition Services provider application packet from APD or AHCA
Attend Medicaid HCBS or APD provider orientation sessions (recommended)

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit Articles of Incorporation, business registration, insurance coverage, staffing plan, and financial management policies
Provide participant intake forms, transition needs assessment templates, and purchase tracking procedures
Submit background screening results for all staff involved in participant support or financial transactions

Program Readiness Review:

AHCA and/or APD review provider documentation for compliance with Medicaid transition service rules
Review may include audits of financial processes and participant tracking systems

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon approval, complete enrollment with Florida Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Configure billing codes for Transition Services under the appropriate HCBS waiver programs

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Sunbiz)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Liability insurance coverage
APD/AHCA-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake and transition assessment protocols
- Financial management, purchasing, and receipt tracking systems
- Emergency preparedness and relocation support planning
- Incident reporting, confidentiality, and participant rights policies
- Staff credentialing, background screening, and training documentation
- Medicaid billing and service documentation tracking

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Transition Coordinator / Case Manager

Requirements: Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, rehabilitation, or related field preferred; experience in case management or housing transition; background screening clearance

Role: Transition Support Specialist (optional, for larger programs)

Requirements: High school diploma or GED required; training in community living support; background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

Training on person-centered planning and transition procedures
Financial accountability and purchasing compliance training
HIPAA confidentiality and abuse prevention training
Emergency preparedness and participant safety protocols

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Florida Medicaid Waivers authorize Transition Services:

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care (LTC) Program
iBudget Florida Waiver (for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities transitioning into independent living)
Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury (TBI/SCI) Waiver (for eligible individuals)

Approved providers may deliver: