Life is particularly challenging now. Unemployed family members, due to COVID19, are struggling to make ends meet. If you have a family member with developmental disabilities, it’s particularly tricky. As it is, you’re often left to your own devices to provide care and find the resources you need. However, you may qualify for Medicaid waiver services and not even know it! Many people aren’t aware of waivers existing.

What are Medicaid waivers?

According to medicaidwaiver.org, Medicaid waivers help provide services for people to receive long-term care in their community who would otherwise be in a nursing home or hospital. The primary focus is providing exemptions for people who have intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and autism. To review the specific waivers offered by the state of Missouri, see them here. 

How Do You Qualify for a Waiver?

Consider these factors to qualify for a Medicaid waiver:

  • Your family member must qualify as developmentally disabled, according to the state of Missouri. These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, head injuries, autism, epilepsy, and specific learning disabilities. Such conditions must have occurred before the age of 22, with the expectation that they will continue. Members must be substantially limited in their ability to function independently.
  • You must be eligible for Medicaid (also known as MO HealthNet) as determined by the Family Support Division (FSD) under an eligibility category that provides for Federal Financial Participation (FFP)
  • Age requirements vary by the waiver. For instance, the Autism Waiver serves children age 3 – 19.

Medicaid Waiver services in Missouri

Unfortunately, there is a lengthy waiting period. Currently, there are 268,000 people nationwide waiting for home and community-based services. In Missouri, approximately 3,300 people are waiting. Those with the highest need rise to the top of the list. If your need is low, you can wait for years. In addition, waivers do not transfer between states. If you’re planning on moving soon, you want to take that into consideration. To learn more about Missouri’s Medicaid Waiver services, call 573-751-4054 or toll-free 800-207-9329. You will need to contact your local, regional office as well. For additional information, visit dmh.mo.gov/dd/.

Boone Supported Living

One of the many benefits Boone Supported Living offers is the availability of Host Homes. Fortunately, a Missouri Medicaid waiver is available for this and many other services offered by Boone.

Contact Boone Supported Living at 573-514-7662 or fill out their contact form here.