For the aging, those with developmental disabilities, the medically frail, or those suffering from chronic illness or injury, attentive medical care becomes a necessity. Thanks to Georgia’s Medicaid waiver system, you or a loved one can continue living in your home and retain independence while receiving the care and attention you require.
What Is a Medicaid Waiver?
A Medicaid waiver enables the federal government to disregard specific rules and regulations that apply to Medicaid laws. The purpose of these waivers is to allow states to reduce the costs, improve the quality, and expand the coverage of care services to residents that typically aren’t covered by Medicaid. Medicaid waivers often help the elderly, medically frail, pregnant, or incapacitated populations of a state.
CCSP Medicaid Eligibility for Seniors
Georgia utilizes the Community Care Service Program (CCSP) to provide community-based social, health, wellness, and support services to qualifying patients. CCSP Medicaid eligibility for seniors requires:
- Disablement due to physical limitations
- A physician’s approval of the need for intermediate level of care
- Development of a care plan
- Prior Medicaid eligibility or the potential to be based on a patient’s financial circumstances
- Being deemed eligible for admission to the CCSP waiver system
- Client’s consent to receive services at home rather than a care facility
- Only being enrolled in one Medicaid waiver program at a time
SOURCE Medicaid Eligibility for Seniors
Georgia also offers the medically frail, elderly, and physically limited a Medicaid waiver program known as Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE). To qualify, a patient must be eligible for full Medicaid and meet the standard for nursing home levels of care.
Independent Care Waiver Program Eligibility Requirements
The Georgia Department of Community Health also offers the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) to adult Medicaid members between the ages of 21 and 64. ICWP allows those with physical disabilities and traumatic brain injuries to receive in-home care and avoid moving into a nursing facility.
To qualify, patients must have a severe physical impairment or brain injury that significantly limits their ability to perform at least one aspect of daily living activities, which requires the assistance of a caregiver. However, the patient must be medically stable but at risk of placement in a hospital or long-term care facility if community-based support is not provided.
How To Apply for a Medicaid Waiver
If you want to check your eligibility and apply for CCSP services in Georgia, you must contact the Area Agency on Aging to schedule a needs assessment. You can reach them at 866-552-4464.
To apply for the SOURCE Medicaid waiver program, contact the Home and Community Based Services phone number at 1-866-552-4464.
ICWP applications are made through the Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF). You can reach them at 678-527-3619 or 800-982-0411, ext. 3619. Your GMCF will ask questions, prompt you to apply, and schedule an in-person assessment.
Does Medicaid Cover In-Home Care?
Yes. In fact, among the biggest beneficiaries of Medicaid waivers are persons with cognitive and physical disabilities or limitations that make it burdensome to perform routine tasks, live independently, or tend to their needs, but don’t require the around-the-clock level of care provided by nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Do you or your loved one want to receive the medical care you deserve and need while remaining at home? Reach out to MDC Healthcare to discuss your options and learn about our care services.
Those that qualify for Medicaid waiver programs like CCSP, ICWP, and SOURCE have a choice of several in-home care services.
Personal Care
If you or your loved one suffers from a chronic illness or injury, personal care services are a great option. These services help patients with feeding, bathing, toileting, and dressing in the comfort of their own homes. Personal care is the optimal way to help someone who can no longer care for themselves retain their independence by having their needs attended to by a professional care provider.
Respite Care
Patients with a primary caregiver, like an adult child or physically capable spouse, who temporarily cannot provide assistance can rely on respite care services. Respite care services allow primary caregivers to take a much-needed break, attend to business, leave town, or perform any tasks that prevent them from providing daily care for a patient.
Senior Companion Care
Medicaid covers in-home care classified as personal support services or senior companion care. These services assist older adults and the medically frail with grocery shopping, essential housekeeping, meal preparation, and personal maintenance. Additionally, senior companion care services provide emotional support, friendship, and feelings of connection in a lonely and challenging time for some.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care services are an excellent opportunity for the ill, disabled, and medically frail to receive daily supervised care with other patients. This allows them to engage in conversation and enjoy a social setting while receiving the necessary care. Adult day center services can include physical, occupational, and speech therapy as well as the provision of hot meals and other care.
Additional Services
Medicaid eligibility for seniors, the medically frail, and the chronically ill also covers:
- Alternate living services
- Emergency response services
- Home-delivered meals and services
You Can Reply on MDC Healthcare for Exceptional In-Home Health Services
Whether you’re eligible for Medicaid waivers or not, MDC offers the finest, most compassionate in-home health services in Georgia. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for all our patients. We employ caregivers that speak 18 different languages and come from diverse backgrounds, so your loved one can stay connected and communicate with someone from their culture if they choose. Reach out to MDC Healthcare today to learn more about how we can help patients comfortably remain in their homes.
