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Georgia Community Care Services Program (CCSP) Medicaid Waiver
What are Medicaid Waivers?
Medicaid pays for long term care services in nursing homes. For nursing home qualified persons that choose to live at home or in a residential community, Medicaid will pay for those services if they can be obtained at a lower cost. These are called Home and Community Based Services, Waiver Funded Services, Medicaid Waivers or simply Waivers.
Community Care Services Program Waiver Overview
Georgia Medicaid’s Community Care Services Program (CCSP), also referred to as the Elderly and Disabled Waiver, is a program designed to help frail older adults remain living in their own homes or communities and to receive services in those locations as an alternative to nursing homes. Sometimes referred to as a nursing home diversion program, this type of program helps the state keep nursing home costs low and is generally preferred by families.
This waiver allows for consumer direction for personal support services, sometimes referred to as Cash and Counseling. This means individuals are empowered to choose their own personal caregivers. The adult children as well as some other family members can be hired as paid caregivers. However, spouses are usually prohibited from being paid.
It is worth noting that the CCSP waiver often has a waiting list and individuals are prioritized based on their levels of impairment and unmet needs.
This waiver allows for consumer direction for personal support services, sometimes referred to as Cash and Counseling. This means individuals are empowered to choose their own personal caregivers. The adult children as well as some other family members can be hired as paid caregivers. However, spouses are usually prohibited from being paid.
It is worth noting that the CCSP waiver often has a waiting list and individuals are prioritized based on their levels of impairment and unmet needs.
Qualifications for the Community Care Services Program Waiver
To qualify for the CCSP waiver, individuals must first qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid has both functional and financial eligibility requirements. Functionally, applicants must require the level of care provided in a nursing home. Financially, in 2012, the individual's annual income limit is $25,128. The value of their resources or assets, excluding their home and vehicle, must be less than $2,000. IMPORTANT* Even though, one's income or assets may exceed these limits, most individuals can still qualify for Medicaid.
Many families find themselves in an awkward position where their loved one has enough income and assets that they do not qualify for Medicaid but not enough so that they can afford to pay for their care. Fortunately, there are many exceptions to what is considered income and countable assets. For example, one's car and home can be considered exempt from their countable assets. Income in excess of the limit can be allocated to a pooled income trust thereby enabling the individual to meet the Medicaid limit and qualify for assistance.
Creating a funeral trust is another simple and common technique used to help qualify for Medicaid. Given the expense of funerals and the fact that everyone will eventually require one, it makes sense to allocate money in advance to cover the funeral and associated expenses. A funeral trust is considered an exempt asset from Medicaid, therefore by creating one, a family can prepare for an inevitable need without having to plan the details and lower their countable assets to help qualify for Medicaid. Learn more about establishing a funeral trust.
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.
Many families find themselves in an awkward position where their loved one has enough income and assets that they do not qualify for Medicaid but not enough so that they can afford to pay for their care. Fortunately, there are many exceptions to what is considered income and countable assets. For example, one's car and home can be considered exempt from their countable assets. Income in excess of the limit can be allocated to a pooled income trust thereby enabling the individual to meet the Medicaid limit and qualify for assistance.
Creating a funeral trust is another simple and common technique used to help qualify for Medicaid. Given the expense of funerals and the fact that everyone will eventually require one, it makes sense to allocate money in advance to cover the funeral and associated expenses. A funeral trust is considered an exempt asset from Medicaid, therefore by creating one, a family can prepare for an inevitable need without having to plan the details and lower their countable assets to help qualify for Medicaid. Learn more about establishing a funeral trust.
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.
Services Provided under the Community Care Services Program
-Adult Day Health Care
-Alternative Living Services
-Errand Assistance
-Home Delivered Meals
-In Home and Out-Of-Home Respite Care
-Light Housekeeping
-Meal Preparation
-Personal Emergency Response Services
-Personal Support Services
-Skilled Nursing
How to Apply for the Community Care Services Program
More information about the CCSP waiver is available by downloading the PDF Brochure. To apply for the program, individuals should contact their local Area Agency on Aging.
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