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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 1, 2013
  CONTACT: Melanie Mowry Etters
Communication Director
850-414-7551

iBudget Now Statewide

TALLAHASSEE—Beginning today, all individuals served by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) throughout Florida have an improved way to manage their services and the dollars used to pay for those services. It is called iBudget Florida. iBudget provides greater ability to choose services that matter most to customers given their unique situations. It also gives more flexibility for customers to respond to their changing needs.

The final phase of the iBudget implementation began in Dade and Monroe counties today.  All Consumer-Directed Care Plus (CDC+) participants across the state also started using iBudget Florida today. This final group is joining 23,257 others already using the system in the rest of the state.

APD Director Barbara Palmer said, “Providing the best possible services to our customers is what this agency wants to deliver. With iBudget Florida, we are providing a fair system that protects the health and safety of our customers while at the same time giving customers the ability to make choices to meet their current needs. Once people understand the flexibility of iBudget, they absolutely love it.  The agency is very happy to offer this improved service to our customers.”

The iBudget Florida Medicaid waiver is used to direct and receive Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) through APD. The HCBS waiver is funded by state and federal tax dollars to help people with developmental disabilities remain and participate in their local communities.

Many families in North Florida have been using iBudget for more than a year and are pleased with the increased flexibility and improved self-direction.  APD has posted interviews with families on iBudgetFlorida.org.  Visit http://apdcares.org/ibudget/videos.htm to view the testimonials.

iBudget Florida is designed to make the funding process fair and equitable for all Medicaid waiver customers. This enhanced system also provides for financial predictability for the Medicaid waiver to help prevent the agency from overspending.

APD annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with the developmental disabilities of autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, spina bifida, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information on iBudget Florida, visit iBudgetFlorida.org. To learn more about the agency, call 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273) or visit APDcares.org.