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Louisiana Community Choices Waiver
Overview of the Louisiana Community Choices Waiver
The Louisiana Community Choices Waiver is a new program launched in 2011 for elderly and / or disabled Louisiana residents. At the time of writing, many processes and procedures were still in development and as such some of the information which follows is limited or unconfirmed.
It is presumed that this Louisiana Medicaid waiver program will provides service modeled after other states' Community Choice Waivers in which participants are given the independence to self-direct or choose their own their personal care providers. This type of program is referred to as cash and counseling, consumer direction and / or participant direction. This model program is especially attractive to many families because often certain family members can be hired to provide personal care. They can become paid caregivers for the personal care services they already provide. It is unclear at this point whether Louisiana's Community Choice Waiver will include this option and which families member might be eligible.
This page will be updated with more current information as it becomes available.
This page will be updated with more current information as it becomes available.
Qualifications for the Louisiana Community Choices Waiver
The Community Choice Waivers is designed for individuals aged 65 and over and for physically disabled individuals over the age of 21. Waiver participants must require the level of care provided in a nursing home but choose to receive that care outside of a nursing home environment.
In addition to the medical eligibility requirements, individuals must be financially eligible to receive 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 exemptions, 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 qualifying for Medicaid.
In addition to the medical eligibility requirements, individuals must be financially eligible to receive 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 exemptions, 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 qualifying for Medicaid.
Benefits / Services of the Community Choices Waiver
This waiver provides for a wide variety of services and support for the elderly and disabled including:
-Adult day health care
-Case management
-Durable medical equipment and supplies / assistive technology
-Home modifications to increase an individual's independence
-Personal assistance with the activities of daily living such as dressing, toileting and bathing
-Personal assistance with instrumental activities of daily living such as meal preparation, delivery and mobility assistance
-Physical, occupational and speech therapy
-Respite care
-Supports and services to assist individuals moving out of nursing homes
-Skilled nursing
-Adult day health care
-Case management
-Durable medical equipment and supplies / assistive technology
-Home modifications to increase an individual's independence
-Personal assistance with the activities of daily living such as dressing, toileting and bathing
-Personal assistance with instrumental activities of daily living such as meal preparation, delivery and mobility assistance
-Physical, occupational and speech therapy
-Respite care
-Supports and services to assist individuals moving out of nursing homes
-Skilled nursing
How to Apply for the Louisiana Community Choices Waiver
Given that this program is still in development, it is best to obtain the most recent application information by calling the Louisiana Options in Long Term Care Help Line at 1-877-456-1146. One can also read more about the program in this downloadable PDF file.
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.
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.
