Home and Community-Based Waivers

Home and Community-Based Waivers are Medicaid funding that provides additional services and supports to eligible individuals.
Waivers provide services to help people live in community settings of their choice instead of an institution.
The funding for waivers is made possible through a combination of federal, state, and local levy dollars.

Medicaid is a federal program that allows eligible individuals with low income to receive needed health-related services. Funding is made possible with a combination of federal and state dollars. Services are unique to each State approved under what is called a State Plan.

Waivers are an alternative to the Medicaid state plan if they are cost effective, efficient, and consistent with the objectives of the Medicaid Program. There are currently three waivers available:

  1. Individual Options (IO) Waiver
  2. Level 1 Waiver
  3. SELF (Self Empowered Life Funding) Waiver

There are a limited number of waivers available so most counties have a waiting list.

In order to be eligible for a waiver, a person must meet the following requirements:

  1. Be eligible for county board of DD services
  2. Be eligible for Medicaid
  3. Choose enrollment in a home and community-based waiver in lieu of living in an institution
  4. Require at least one waiver service
  5. Participate in the development of his/her individual service plan
  6. Have his/her health and welfare needs met through waiver services within the funding range. This may be through a combination of informal and formal supports, such as waiver services, Medicaid state plan services, private health insurance, and/or natural supports. 

 

Click Here for helpful handbooks which provide detailed information about the various Medicaid Waiver Programs and other resources. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact your local county board of developmental disabilities.