Medicaid Waiver
What’s a Waiver?
A waiver is a Medicaid-funded Home and Community Based Waiver program to provide services to adults and children in a community setting and allow individuals to continue living in their own homes. Indiana offers two types of waivers: Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver (CIH) and a Family Supports Waiver (FSW).
What services will the waiver pay for?
There are a variety of services the waiver budget will help pay for, which includes: Adult Day Services, Behavioral Support Services, Case Management, Residential Habilitation Services, Day Habilitation, Extended Services, Facility-Based Services, Family & Caregiver Training, Music, Occupational and Recreational Therapies, Participant Assistant and Care, Respite, Remote Supports, and Transportation to list off some of what the waiver(s) offer.
How do I start receiving services?
If you’re eligible for a waiver, you will work with a case manager to develop a Person-Centered Individual Support Plan to highlight what’s most important to you. You can then decide what services you’d like to receive, and your case manager will give you a picklist with all the providers who offer those services.
How to qualify for a waiver?
To qualify for the waiver program an individual must meet the following criteria.
- Have active Indiana Medicaid
- Been diagnosed with a developmental and/or intellectual disability (or other related conditions) before the age of 22, and this condition is expected to continue indefinitely.
- Meet Level of Care, which is assessed by 6 major life categories: self-care, learning, self-direction, capacity for independent living, understand and use of language and mobility.
- Individuals must show limitations in at least 3 of the 6 major life categories.
- FSW only – individuals over 18 must apply and be eligible for Social Security benefits.
Interested in applying for a waiver? Individuals interested in applying for a waiver need to reach out to their local BDDS office (Bureau of Developmental Disability Services) to apply or visit their website at FSSA: DDRS: Developmental Disability Services (in.gov) to apply online.
Need to apply for Indiana Medicaid? Apply online, or at your local FSSA office or visit their website at Benefits Portal (in.gov) to apply online.
Need to apply for Social Security Benefits? Apply online at Online Services | SSA
