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Iowa Medicaid HCBS Elderly Waiver: Qualifications and Services
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.
Overview of the HCBS Elderly Waiver
This Iowa Medicaid waiver provides services and support to help the elderly who are medically qualified for nursing home care. It is designed to allow the individual to remain living at home or in communities and receive care in those locations instead of in a nursing home.
The waiver includes a Consumer Choices Option (CCO), also referred to as Consumer Direction, which means the individual receiving care can self-direct their care service providers. They have the flexibility to choose the person(s) that provide them with care services and they can hire friends, neighbors and even some family members to do so. This model is based on the Medicaid concept called Cash and Counseling.
The waiver includes a Consumer Choices Option (CCO), also referred to as Consumer Direction, which means the individual receiving care can self-direct their care service providers. They have the flexibility to choose the person(s) that provide them with care services and they can hire friends, neighbors and even some family members to do so. This model is based on the Medicaid concept called Cash and Counseling.
Qualifications for the HCBS Elderly Waiver
In addition to being 65+ years old, Iowa residents must require nursing home level care and be financially qualified 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 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.
Services Provided under the HCBS Elderly Waiver
- Adult Day Care
- Assistive Devices
- Case Management
- Chore Services
- Consumer Directed Attendant Care
- Emergency Response System
- Home and Vehicle Modifications
- Home Delivered Meals
- Home Health Aide
- Homemaker Services
- Mental Health Outreach
- Nursing Care
- Nutritional Counseling
- Respite
- Senior Companions
- Transportation
Availability of the HCBS Elderly Waiver
This waiver is available statewide in all Iowa counties.
Use our Locator Tool to Find Other Options for which You're Eligible
