Share This
Print
E-mail
Alabama Personal Choices Program
Overview of the Alabama Personal Choices Program
Based on the Cash and Counseling model, this program offers qualified, Alabama seniors and disabled individuals the option to select and manage their own care providers. This program is open is Medicaid participants that are currently receiving services under the SAIL Program Waiver or the Elderly and Disabled Waiver. The program is currently available in 7 counties of Western Alabama: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa and 2 counties in Southern Alabama: Baldwin and Mobile.
The Personal Choices program works by re-allocating the money designated for services provided under the Medicaid waivers to the individuals themselves and allows them to direct their own care services. To be clear, cash payments are made to an intermediary financial management agency and then to the care providers of the participants choosing. Participating individuals no longer receive care from Medicaid.
This type of program, in which the consumer directs their own care, is referred to by many names, including participant direction, self-directed care and cash and counseling. These programs are growing in popularity in part because certain family members can be hired a personal care providers, with the requirement that they are over 18 years of age and pass a basic screening test.
This type of program, in which the consumer directs their own care, is referred to by many names, including participant direction, self-directed care and cash and counseling. These programs are growing in popularity in part because certain family members can be hired a personal care providers, with the requirement that they are over 18 years of age and pass a basic screening test.
Qualifications for the Personal Choices Program
To qualify for the Personal Choices program, individuals must enroll (or be enrolled) in Medicaid and be receiving care under the Sail-Homebound Program Waiver or the Elderly and Disabled Waiver.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change by state and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change by state and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits of the Personal Choices Program
The program pays cash to a Financial Management Service Agency in place of providing services. The Service Agency in turn makes payments to care providers as determined by an agreed upon plan between the participant and their Personal Choice Program Counselor. Plans can include the following types of care.
-Home Health Care
-Personal Care
-Respite Care
-Homemaker Services
-Companion / Accompaniment Services
-Home Health Care
-Personal Care
-Respite Care
-Homemaker Services
-Companion / Accompaniment Services
How to Apply for the Personal Choices Program
To apply for the program, contact the West Alabama Regional Area Agency on Aging or South Alabama Area Agency on Aging. More information about the program is available on the Alabama Personal Choices webpage.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
