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Arkansas Independent Choices Program
Overview of Arkansas’ Independent Choices Program
This program is based on the Cash and Counseling model of providing personal care services. It enables Medicaid-qualified, Arkansas seniors and disabled individuals to direct their own personal care services. Program participants receive a cash allowance and the necessary counseling to self-direct their personal care instead of receiving that care from the state Medicaid program directly.
An element of the Independent Choices program that makes it particularly attractive to many individuals is that certain family members can be hired and paid to provide personal care services. While one’s spouse and legal guardian cannot be hired, other family members including the adult children of aging parents can be paid for providing care.
To avoid confusion, it is worth mentioning that this type of program is often referred to as consumer direction, participant direction or self-direct care.
Two other Arkansas programs that might be relevant to the reader are the DAAS ElderChoices Waiver and the Assisted Living Waiver.
To avoid confusion, it is worth mentioning that this type of program is often referred to as consumer direction, participant direction or self-direct care.
Two other Arkansas programs that might be relevant to the reader are the DAAS ElderChoices Waiver and the Assisted Living Waiver.
Qualifications for the Independent Choices Program
Program participants must be at least 18 years of age, have a medical need for personal care services and require assistance with the activities of daily living. In addition, they must be financially qualified to receive Medicaid from the state of Arkansas.
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 frequently 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 frequently 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 Independent Choices Program
There are 3 categories of personal care related expenses that are paid for by the Independent Choices program.
1) Personal Assistance Services – any service provided by a person that helps the program participant to manage their activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating and personal hygiene.
2) Products and Services that Increase Independence – these are goods and services that contribute towards decreasing the program participant’s reliance on other persons such as remote controls for operating lighting or household appliances as well as services such as personal emergency response and remote monitoring.
3) Home Modifications and Assistive Technologies – participants can save their monthly compensation to put towards the purchase of higher cost items or services such as wheelchair ramps, stair-glides and other modifications that increase their ability to live independently.
1) Personal Assistance Services – any service provided by a person that helps the program participant to manage their activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating and personal hygiene.
2) Products and Services that Increase Independence – these are goods and services that contribute towards decreasing the program participant’s reliance on other persons such as remote controls for operating lighting or household appliances as well as services such as personal emergency response and remote monitoring.
3) Home Modifications and Assistive Technologies – participants can save their monthly compensation to put towards the purchase of higher cost items or services such as wheelchair ramps, stair-glides and other modifications that increase their ability to live independently.
How to Apply for the Independent Choices Program
This program is available statewide and one should contact the Independence Choices program directly to apply. At the time of writing the Arkansas Independent Choice website was still under development. However, they can be reached by calling at 501-320-6581.
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.
