For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Contact
Sarah Bascom, sarah@bascomllc.com, 850.294.6336
Lyndsey Cruley, lyndsey@bascomllc.com, 850.524.5006

FL ALFA Announces New AHCA Initial Licensure Policy Initiative for ALFs
Tallahassee, Fla. FLORIDA ALFA (FL ALFA), the Florida chapter of the Assisted Living Federation of
America, today announced that as a result of its collaboration with the Agency for Health Care Administration
(AHCA), a new policy initiative recently went into effect that is aimed at creating an expedited initial licensure
process for assisted living communities. This initiative will help to ensure that seniors who need additional care
and services can move into their new assisted living communities sooner by creating a more streamlined AHCA
initial licensure application process. The initiative also establishes point of contacts and communications
between AHCAs field office staff and new providers.
Last fall, FL ALFA was informed that lengthy delays in scheduling the initial licensure onsite surveys were
creating a negative financial impact on consumers and providers, said Gail Matillo, president and CEO of FL
ALFA. As a result, FL ALFA began working with AHCA and developers to address the problem. This new
initiative will prioritize the scheduling of initial licensure surveys with a goal of completing the survey within
30 days of the approved application.
The removal of the delays will relieve the anxiety and stress for potential residents and their family members
who are ready to make the move into a community, continued Matillo. In addition, the initiative eliminates
waste of operating costs for the community while it waits for initial licensure when it is fully staffed, stocked
and ready for residents to move in.
Together, FL ALFA and AHCA are working to establish a regulatory environment that prepares Florida for the
future wave of seniors and encourages new business development and job growth, concluded Matillo.
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FLORIDA ALFA (FL ALFA), the Florida chapter of the Assisted Living Federation of America, is Floridas premier association
representing senior assisted living, independent and memory care communities. Together, FL ALFAs members represent more than
29,000 Florida seniors; contribute more than $1 billion per year to Floridas economy; employ more than 7,500 staff; provide health
insurance and retirement benefits; pay at least $16.5 million annually in property taxes to local governments; and, ensure the highest
quality care in our 275+ member communities.