| Before individual state governments passed | | | | supplements, and much more. The state also offers a |
| much-needed legislation, many assisted living facilities | | | | targeted assisted living waiver program that focuses |
| were only private pay situations. Fortunately, for many | | | | on therapeutic social and recreational programming.vii. |
| older Americans facing housing dilemmas, Medicaid | | | | Maryland - Program participants are assessed and, if |
| waiver programs have taken up much of the slack | | | | deemed eligible, are offered either services in the |
| that Medicare did not. Providing funds for placement in | | | | home or placement in an assisted living facility.viii. |
| assisted living facilities as well as a number of other | | | | Mississippi - Medicaid waiver programs for this state |
| helpful services, Medicaid helps lower-income, elderly | | | | cover individuals requiring assisted living services due to |
| individuals receive the care they need. | | | | disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia as well |
| All states accept funds from Medicaid waiver | | | | as individuals aged 65 and older needing adult |
| programs for placement within a nursing home, which | | | | residential care.ix. Missouri - Program participants aged |
| are normally more expensive than assisted living | | | | 65 and older needing assisted living services are |
| facilities. While many states do not recognize funds | | | | eligible.x. Nebraska - Individuals aged 65 or older who |
| from Medicaid waiver programs for assisted living, | | | | agree to participate in medical and health care |
| those that do are located throughout the country and | | | | evaluations are eligible for home services or can be |
| offer many options to aging Americans needing | | | | placed in an assisted living facility (2).xi. New Jersey - |
| assistance with daily living activities. After searching | | | | Under the Enhanced Community Options waiver (3), |
| high and low, finding a general overview of states that | | | | individuals can either remain at home to receive |
| offer the Medicaid waiver program for assisted living | | | | assistive services or be placed in an assisted living |
| was rather nonexistent, but my research is your gain. | | | | facility.xii. Ohio - The Ohio Department of Aging is |
| Medicaid Waiver Programs State Line-Up | | | | responsible for determining applicants' waiver eligibility, |
| As of publication, there are no definitive lists that outline | | | | evaluation of disabilities, prognoses, and financial assets |
| states with Medicaid waiver programs for assisted | | | | for proper placement within assisted living facilities.xiii. |
| living facilities. At best, the government (via the Centers | | | | Rhode Island - Aged and disabled individuals are |
| of Medicare and Medicaid Services) has created an | | | | provided with assisted living services, case |
| online list of all Medicaid waiver programs (1), meaning | | | | management, and specialized medical equipment.xiv. |
| visitors have to spend time finding the desired | | | | Vermont - Eligible Medicaid recipients are provided with |
| information. Although I've outlined the states that do | | | | assisted living services under Choices for Care, 1115 |
| accept Medicaid waiver programs, certain impediments | | | | Long-Term Care Medicaid Waiver, as well as a |
| may be in place to securing a Medicaid-covered bed in | | | | number of other care options.xv. Virginia - This state's |
| an assisted living facility. Be aware that some states | | | | Medicaid waiver programs apply only to individuals with |
| may offer the program on a trial basis, follow limited | | | | Alzheimer's disease or dementia who require the |
| participation quotas, or are just introducing the program | | | | services of assisted living facilities. Depending upon the |
| to state residents. As always, verify eligibility | | | | medical circumstances, age limits may be in effect.xvi. |
| requirements with the Centers for Medicare and | | | | Washington - The waiver program provides for aged |
| Medicaid Services.i. Arkansas - Aged and disabled | | | | and disabled residents at assisted living facilities.xvii. |
| program participants are provided with adult residential | | | | West Virginia - Aged and disabled program |
| care, assisted living, and medication assistance and | | | | participants are provided with adult residential care and |
| consulting till death.ii. California - Beginning in 2003, | | | | assisted living services. |
| California began offering Medicaid waiver programs to | | | | Additionally, some states offer details on restrictions |
| aged individuals.iii. Delaware - Program participants with | | | | and eligibility that can be downloaded by navigating to |
| Alzheimer's, dementia, physical disabilities, or needing | | | | each respective state's Medicaid waiver informational |
| assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) are | | | | link: |
| provided with funds for assisted living facilities.iv. Florida | | | | What to Look for in the Future |
| - There are quite a few Medicaid waiver programs for | | | | State governments determine eligibility based on |
| the state of Florida, including a broad waiver for all | | | | income, giving lower-income seniors an opportunity to |
| individuals aged 65 or older; individuals with Alzheimer's | | | | be placed in a facility that will look after their needs |
| disease and dementia; case management services; | | | | and supervise daily activities. With the baby boomers |
| assisted living; incontinence supplies to frail, elderly, and | | | | retiring as we speak and well into the coming years, |
| disabled individuals aged 60 or older; and a home and | | | | will we see growth in the number of Medicaid-eligible |
| community based waiver that offers mental health | | | | assisted living facilities in other states? Perhaps the |
| services to seniors in specific areas of the state.v. | | | | thirty-three or so other states will realize the incredible |
| Iowa - Many assisted living facilities across the state | | | | benefits to both seniors and society in general. |
| accept money from Medicaid waiver programs; | | | | Sources |
| however, the number of residents in a facility using | | | | 1. cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidStWaivProgDemoPGI/MWDL |
| these funds is limited.vi. Indiana - Aged and disabled | | | | list.asp?intNumPerPage=all&submit=Go |
| individuals are provided with case management, | | | | 2. nenaaa.com/finding-care/aged-medicaid/ |
| transportation, assisted living, medical equipment, | | | | 3. state.nj.us/health/senior/go. |
| congregate care, home delivered meals, nutritional | | | | |