Home and Community-Based Services provide supports to families to care for a loved one at home, and supports to adults to live in their own home or small residential program. Because there are long waiting lists for Home and Community-Based Services provided through Medicaid Waivers, it is important to apply and get on a waiting list, even if you do not need services right now.
Medicaid Waiver Program
The Medicaid Waiver Program allows Medicaid to pay for services that support families in caring for a loved one at home, supports to allow adults with disabilities to live in their own home or small, community-based residential program and supports to help people move out of nursing homes or other large facilities.
Family income and resources are not counted when determining Medicaid eligibility for children receiving Medicaid waiver services.
In most cases, there are long waiting lists to get services from a Medicaid waiver. It is important to apply and get on the waiting list.
There are now priority waivers for special education students leaving high school, caregivers age 80 or older, and people who want to move out of a nursing home. People in these priority areas do not have to wait on the waiting list.
Learn more about Indiana's Medicaid Waiver Program and OASIS (Objective Assessment System for Individual Supports).
Caregiver Support
Indiana's Caregiver Support Program was suspended in February, 2010. The state announced on June 29, 2010 that applications for Caregiver Supports Services will be made available beginning on Monday, July, 12, 2010 at all local Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS) district offices. Caregiver Support Services may be approved when:
1. The Developmental Disabilities Services Eligibility is completed
2. Caregiver Supports Services funds are available
3. The primary caregiver selects a provider
The Caregiver Supports Service is accessible to the caregiver from the start date through June 30, 2011, at which time applications will once again be offered if funds are available.
The Caregiver Supports Services is 100% state funded and is for those individuals eligible for developmental disabilities services not receiving any other state services and residing with a primary caregiver who needs temporary relief. This is not related to and should not be confused with any waiver activities.
Caregiver Support provides services on a short-term, as needed basis to families caring for a loved one with a developmental disability. Under state guidelines, families are not eligible for this service if the person is already receiving state funded services through the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS), Medicaid Waivers, Vocational Rehabilitation and/or CHOICE.
Eligibility determination and placement is made through the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services. Call: 800-545-7763.
Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled (CHOICE)
CHOICE is a state-funded home care program which offers supports to individuals who are aged or disabled to remain in their home. Children with disabilities are eligible for CHOICE; however, family income is considered.
Eligibility determination is made by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
Waiting lists may exist for the CHOICE program. Call: 800-986-3505.
Residential Services