Understanding HB 391: What It Means for Family Caregivers in Florida
Can Florida parents get paid to care for their medically fragile children? Thanks to House Bill 391 (HB 391), the answer is yes—but many families are still unsure how this program works or how to qualify.
If you're a parent of a child with complex medical needs, this new law could change your life. HB 391, passed in 2023, allows eligible parents to become paid caregivers for their children through Medicaid. But, as with any government program, the details matter. In this guide, we’ll break down:
✅ What HB 391 is and why it was created
✅ How it works (who qualifies, what’s required, and how much caregivers get paid)
✅ How Home Heart Florida can help you enroll and get certified
What Is HB 391?
House Bill 391 is a Florida law that allows parents to get paid as Aides for Medically Fragile Children (AMFCs) to care for their medically fragile children.
Before this law, families of children on Medicaid had to rely on home health agencies to provide outside nurses or aides. But Florida faced a severe home nursing shortage, leaving many families without consistent care. Some parents were already providing full-time medical care at home—unpaid.
The goal of HB 391 was to solve two problems at once:
Help parents who were already providing care by allowing them to be hired and paid under Medicaid
Fill the home care gap by expanding the workforce, since trained family caregivers are just as qualified to give excellent care
The law went into effect on July 1, 2023, and has since allowed families to turn their unpaid caregiving into a Medicaid-funded job. However, although the law went into effect in 2023, home health agencies were only able to start providing the program in late 2024 / early 2025, due to delays from payors.
How Does HB 391 Work?
The program is not automatic—parents must go through certification and employment steps before they can start getting paid. Here’s what you need to know:
Who Qualifies?
✅ Your child must be under 21 years old and on Florida Medicaid
✅ They must be medically fragile, meaning they need ongoing medical care at home
✅ You (the parent) must complete Aide for Medically Fragile Children (AMFC) training and work with a licensed home health agency
What Training Is Required?
Florida Medicaid requires all AMFCs to go through a state regulated training program, administered by home health agencies.
To qualify, parents must:
Complete 86 hours of training (includes hands-on clinical skills)
Pass a Level 2 background check
Get hired by a Medicaid-approved home health agency (like Home Heart Florida)
The training covers essential caregiving skills, including:
🩺 Basic medical care (checking vital signs, assisting with medications)
🛏️ Helping with daily living (feeding tubes, hygiene, mobility)
🚑 Emergency response (handling seizures, CPR, ventilator care)
Home Heart Florida offers flexible training programs to help parents get certified quickly—so you can start getting paid sooner!
How Much Can Parents Get Paid?
The hourly pay rate varies, but in Florida, parents can earn up to $15 per hour through Medicaid reimbursement.
Most caregivers qualify for up to 40 hours per week, meaning full-time caregiving parents could earn around $1,000 per week ($2,400/month).
🚨 Important: Caregiving income may impact Medicaid or disability benefits—Home Heart Florida helps families navigate this issue.
How to Apply?
Confirm Medicaid Eligibility: Make sure your child is enrolled in a full Medicaid insurance plan, like Children’s Medical Services, Simply HealthCare, Sunshine Health, etc. Feel free to contact Home Heart Florida if you have any questions on your Medicaid enrollment.
Start Training: Enroll in our state-approved AMFC certification program.
Complete Background Screening: Pass Florida’s Level 2 background check.
Get Hired & Start Earning! Once certified, you’ll be officially employed and paid as your child’s caregiver.
Let Home Heart Florida Help You Get Certified & Paid
At Home Heart Florida, we specialize in helping families become certified caregivers and start earning income through Medicaid.
💙 We offer fast-track AMFC training (designed for parents)
💙 We handle all Medicaid paperwork and approvals
💙 We make sure you get paid quickly and correctly
Ready to turn your caregiving into a career? Contact Home Heart Florida today to check your eligibility and start training!
📞 Call us: 844-721-1433
📩 Email us: info@homeheartfl.com
🌍 Visit: www.homeheartfl.com