What help will the Florida Medicaid Waiver offer your family?
We recently asked parents why they didn’t apply for the Waiver if they could be eligible for services. Many families do not understand the Waiver and what it could do for their children, so we aim to inform Florida parents and providers.
In this video, Scarlett explains what services are most often used for loved ones at various ages.
Watch the video here:
The Takeaways
For a Loved One Under 21, Living at Home:
The Waiver covers—
- Respite
- Some durable medical equipment
- Some environmental/home modifications (bathrooms/doorways for wheelchair accessibility)
- Hoyer lifts
Medicaid covers—
- Consumable medical supplies
- Dietary supplements
- Therapies (ABA, Speech, OT, PT)
- Personal Care Services
If a child cannot safely live in the home, the Waiver covers a group home.
At age 21, the array of services changes drastically:
- Respite is now called Personal Supports
- Medicaid no longer pays for Personal Care Services, and instead, the Waiver pays for Personal Supports
- Since people age out of school at 22, the Waiver pays for Adult Day Training (now called Life Skills) and Transportation.
- Waiver covers Supported Employment and Companion Services
- Therapies are no longer covered automatically by Waiver or Medicaid after 21. So Waiver Support Coordinators assist with requesting funds for therapies, dietitians, consumable medical supplies and durable medical equipment through the Waiver.
The most common services for those over 21 include Personal Supports, Day Programs, and Transportation. Some adults who can live somewhat independently get Supported Living in their homes, and either get live-in staff or part-time help.
If you have not yet applied for the Waiver Waitlist, make sure to make this a priority!
To quickly find out if your loved one is eligible for the Medwaiver Waitlist, take our free assessment here:
What would you like to see on our next SNGG Florida Medwaiver Coffee Chat? Send us an email at [email protected] with your Medwaiver questions.