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Pennsylvania Services My Way (SMW) Program
Overview of the PA's Services My Way (SMW) Program
The SMW Program is designed for Medicaid eligible, Pennsylvania residents who are elderly and / or disabled. Services are provided on the Cash and Counseling model in which the participating individual self-directs their care by choosing their own care providers instead of the state agency making those decisions. This model is also referred to as consumer-direction or participant direction.
Participants work with a Case Manager from the state to collaboratively determine their needs and a budget for care services and goods. This is referred to as their Individual Service Plan. Participants then determine when, where and from whom to purchase the necessary goods and services. Neighbors, friends and even certain family members and relatives can be hired as paid caregivers; this includes the adult children but not spouses or legal guardians.
The Services My Way Program makes use of a fiscal intermediary also referred to as an Employer Agent that is responsible for making payments to the care providers which are approved by the program participant.
Pennsylvania also offers a program called Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Services (PAS) that falls somewhere between the PDA Aging Waiver and the Services My Way program. In the CD-PAS program, the state takes a larger role in assisting the individual to select and manage their services providers but does not designate the providers.
The Services My Way Program makes use of a fiscal intermediary also referred to as an Employer Agent that is responsible for making payments to the care providers which are approved by the program participant.
Pennsylvania also offers a program called Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Services (PAS) that falls somewhere between the PDA Aging Waiver and the Services My Way program. In the CD-PAS program, the state takes a larger role in assisting the individual to select and manage their services providers but does not designate the providers.
Qualifications for Services My Way
To qualify for the SMW Program, PA residents must be qualified for either the PA Department of Aging Waiver or the Attendant Care Program (for persons aged 18-59), both of which are Medicaid programs.
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.
At the time of writing, the Services My Way Program was available in the following PA counties. However, this program is expanding rapidly and if one’s county of residence is not included below they should check with the PA Long Term Care Helpline at 1-866-286-3636 to see if the program available in their county. Also worth noting is that the Consumer Directed (CD-PAS) model is available more broadly than Services My Way.
Beaver, Blair, Bradford, Cameron, Cumberland, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, McKean, Philadelphia, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Washington
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.
At the time of writing, the Services My Way Program was available in the following PA counties. However, this program is expanding rapidly and if one’s county of residence is not included below they should check with the PA Long Term Care Helpline at 1-866-286-3636 to see if the program available in their county. Also worth noting is that the Consumer Directed (CD-PAS) model is available more broadly than Services My Way.
Beaver, Blair, Bradford, Cameron, Cumberland, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, McKean, Philadelphia, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Washington
Benefits / Services Covered by Services My Way
A wide range of services and goods are covered by the SMW Program. The specific benefits for which a participant is eligible is determined with their case manager in their Individual Service Plan and may include any of the following.
-Adult Day Services
-Community Transition Services
-Companion Services
-Counseling
-Financial Management Services
-Home Delivered Meals
-Home Health Care
-Home Modifications
-Medical Supplies and Equipment
-Personal Assistance Service
-Personal Care
-Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
-Respite Care
-Transportation
-Adult Day Services
-Community Transition Services
-Companion Services
-Counseling
-Financial Management Services
-Home Delivered Meals
-Home Health Care
-Home Modifications
-Medical Supplies and Equipment
-Personal Assistance Service
-Personal Care
-Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
-Respite Care
-Transportation
How to Apply for Services My Way
One can begin the process by calling the PA Office of Long Term Care Helpline at 1-866-286-3636. Alternatively, more information is available on the Department of Aging website or by downloading the Services My Way PDF Brochure.
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.
