Respite vs. Personal Care Services (PCS) and the Florida Medwaiver
In this Coffee Chat, Scarlett addresses the difference between Respite and Personal Care Services (PCS), which are two services potentially provided when someone gets “on the Waiver” (and off the Waitlist) and begins receiving Waiver services.
Respite:
- Is only provided by the Florida Medwaiver funds.
- Example uses: going grocery shopping, taking a date night
- Can only be used to pay someone other than a parent (a parent can’t “give themselves a break”).
Personal Care Services (PCS):
- Is provided by a person’s Medicaid state plan
- Notably, an authorization is needed every six months, which is not the case for Respite.
- It is authorized for the hours a parent works, and the child is not at school.
- After a person turns 21, “Personal Supports” replaces PCS as the service to help a parent during working hours.
Watch the Coffee Chat here:
If you have more questions about what the Medwaiver offers to Florida families, check out our one-page info sheet.
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.