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Rhode Island Medicaid Personal Choice Program
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 Rhode Island Personal Choice Program
The Personal Choice Program is a consumer directed care program; also known as the cash and counseling model. Instead of care, nursing home qualified participants receive cash and are able to choose their own personal care providers. Individuals must require nursing home level of care and choose to live at home or in the community.
Given the flexibility to choose their own personal care providers, many program participants prefer to receive care from family members. Under this program, certain family members are eligible to be hired as paid caregivers. In this situation, the caregiver or "employee" must pay taxes on the wages they receive.
Given the flexibility to choose their own personal care providers, many program participants prefer to receive care from family members. Under this program, certain family members are eligible to be hired as paid caregivers. In this situation, the caregiver or "employee" must pay taxes on the wages they receive.
Qualifications for the Rhode Island Personal Choice Program
In addition to requiring a nursing home level of care, Rhode Island residents must 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 Rhode Island Personal Choice Program
- Personal Care Assistants
- Environmental Modifications
- Specialized Equipment
- Personal Emergency Response System
- Home Delivered Meals
- Service Advisement
- Fiscal Advisement
Availability of the Rhode Island Personal Choice Program
This program is available in all Rhode Island counties.
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