I did a search, and couldn't find a thread on Medicaid Waiver. I think it would make a good discussion topic, and perhaps some out there don't know about it? In my state, if one is approved, the program pays for an aide coming into the home, adult daycare, and in some circumstances, assisted living. (This is different from the other Medicaid program that pays for nursing homes.)
In my state, there are financial restrictions (I think they are stricter than regular Medicaid) and a waiting list where it takes about 3 years to get to someone's name. I placed my Dad on the list close to 3 years ago, they haven't reached his name yet (but that's ok, he hasn't spent down his funds enough yet). Anyone already qualify?
I am going to need Medicaid waiver and Medicaid and whatever I can get to pay for Sid's care, so I will be looking into this in the very near future. Actually, ASAP. The last Medicaid specialist who was going to write for me never came through, but I am looking for another one to write a guest blog about all of this.
I know a little. My DH is on the Medicaid Waiver Program here in Michigan. In our case, Dh's income is small--his Social Security and a tiny Pension. There are no investment, savings, etc. Because his income is so small the Waiver means they look only at his income in determining qualificaation. The result is he has full medicaid coverage coordinated with his Medicare. It pays the Medicare premium so we get his full SS check and we pay Medicad co-pays on his meds, until we hit the Catastrophic level, then we pay nothing. They cover most of his in-home /personal care helper costs and 4 hours respite for me each month. He lo gets $16 a month in Food Stamps. I don't know about a waiting list. I was told there was one, but he was Dx'd in Aug.-Sept. 2006, applied for Medicaid (regular) at that time. That was approved and then he was approved for the Waiver Program and switched over to it effective January 1, 2007. I have recently appled for Medicaid help because the huge medical costs I am incurring. Because my income (SSDI) is so much more than DH's imcome, they're considering ALL the household income and I already know I'll be given a huge spend down--approximately $1100 per month. That is out of pocket incurred before they'll help with any bills, each month. I need that determination in order to access other financial assistance from the Hospital and Drs.
It is available in CA, but I know no more about it than that. My sister is a social worker in the Napa Valley and has medicaid waiver clients. Available in IN, too; but the waiting list is years, I've heard.
I don't think I have ever heard of this either. In Vermont we have a program called Choices For Care, which is a bridge between Medicaid and Private Pay. I need to look into this more. Anyone know about Vermont? Do I just do search of some sort?
You are all so wonderful here........and seems to always be on the topic I need!
Ann--I believe that since Federal funds are involved, Medicaid Waiver should be available in every state. Don't know whether it would be called that everywhere, though. The idea is to provide services so that people can remain the home vs. institutional care. It is cheaper for the gov't that way.
My husband had Medicaid Waiver in PA. I applied as soon as we knew we needed in home help. It only took a few days and there was no waiting period. I was initially given 4 hours a day. After a few months, he got worse and I took him to the emergency room on a Friday morning. They said "this man can not be left alone at any time". I called my case manager from my car on Friday afternoon and told her I needed full time day time care so I could continue to work. We had it on Monday morning. We had it for a year and a half until I had to place him. Of course, we didn't have any assets to worry about except our house and it didn't count.
My husband has been on this waiver for over 3 years now. Excellent program. Just live in constant fear it will be cut due to budget cuts out of Washington.