List of Medicaid Waiver Programs

I am sure you have heard that  you need to add your child's name to the waiver list, which in many cases is a 10 year wait or so. However, what does it mean to be on these lists and how do you know what list you should be on? Here is a comprehensive look at the programs that are available to you and the services that they offer once your child is selected. Although the wait is long, there are rumors saying Texas is going to a well managed system that will cut these wait times in half. However, your child has to be on the list now because you will not be able to add it after the system changes. Thank you to Elaine Himes with the Resource Guide for compiling the information.

 

1. Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP)

Community Care Services, TxDADS

1-877-438-5658, 713-967-7597

www.dads.state.tx.us/services

This Medicaid waiver program provides qualified children with a variety of services that allow the children to live at home. MDCP provides respite, adaptive aids and supports to enable eligible children to participate in child care. To qualify, only the child’s income is considered. A physician must agree that your child meets medical necessity criteria for admission to a nursing home. MDCP is limited to a certain number of children on a first-come, first-served basis. Once accepted, your child also qualifies for Medicaid benefits.

Note: Long waiting list.

A number of MDCP slots are reserved for children who reside in Texas nursing homes, enabling them to return home with support. The MDCP ends when a child reaches age 21. After that the Community Based Alternative (CBA) continues most services, but the change from MDCP to CBA is not automatic. You must apply for CBA separately, but the eligible child will access CBA services directly without being placed on a waiting list. State that the child is reaching 21 and on the MDCD. For more information, call 713-692-1635 (intake line).

2. Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)

Community Care Services, TxDADS

www.dads.state.tx.us/services

To be placed on a waiting list, call 1-877-438-5658 (state office); for information only, call Vita-Living, Inc., 713-271-5795.

CLASS provides home and community services such as therapy and personal-attendant care, limited nursing care, job training, daily living skills, adaptive aids, psychological counseling, home medication and respite care for persons with disabilities other than the primary diagnosis of mental retardation.

CLASS is funded by Medicaid through a waiver that allows participants to live in the community with a degree of freedom and choice. Qualification is based on approved needs. Applicants for CLASS services must have demonstrated needs for and be able to benefit from habilitation assistance and support services. Once accepted, the child also qualifies for regular Medicaid benefits.

Note: Long waiting list. Program is not statewide.

 

3. Home and Community-Based Services (HCS),

Mental Retardation Services Dept. (MRSD), TxDADS

Under contract to MHMRAs

www.dads.state.tx.us/services

The HCS program is a Medicaid waiver program that provides services to individuals with mental retardation who either live with their families, in their own home, in a foster/companion care setting or in a residence with not more that four individuals who receive services. HSC services include residential assistance, day habilitation, respite, nursing, attendant care, adaptive aids, counseling, therapy, minor home modification, and supported employment. Call for eligibility. Telephone numbers:

Harris County

For waiting list, 713-970-7799

For information, 713-970-7649

Gulf Coast Center – MR Division, 1-800-643-0967

(in-take) or 281-585-7490

Texana MHMRA, 281-342-0090 (intake)

Tri-County MHMRA, 936-521-6226

4. Texas Home Living Waiver (TxHmL)

Mental Retardation Services Department

(MRSD), TxDADS

Under contract to MHMRAs

www.dad.state.tx.us/business

The TxHmL program is one type of Medicaid waiver that waives a Medicaid requirement so that a list of services such as respite can be delivered by someone other that a licensed practitioners (doctor, etc.) and paid by Medicaid. Therefore, the family’s income must meet eligibility for Medicaid to qualify. The TxHmL program provides essential services and support so that Texans with mental retardation can continue to live with their families or in their homes in the community. TxHmL services are intended to supplement. TxHmL is limited to an annual cost of $10,000 per participant. This is a new program and MHMRAs contacts families from the HCS waiting list.

MHMRA of Harris Co. - 713-970-8385

Texana MHMRA - 281-342-0090

MHMR Gulf Coast Center - 1-800-643-0967

Tri-County MHMRA - 936-521-6226

5. Primary Home Care (PHC)

Community Care Programs, TxDADS

713-692-1635

PHC provides non-skilled, non-technical, medically related personal care, household tasks, meal preparation, escort, shopping and assistance with self-administered medication. A physician must order the service and a nurse must supervise delivery. There is an income limit, and your child must be Medicaid-eligible. A case manager will assess the needs to determine eligibility and service delivery.

6. Blind and Visually Impaired Services,

TxDARS

713-802-3100

The Texas Commission for the Blind provides an array of services to blind and legally blind children. The services include eye restoration services, eye medical care, parent counseling, educational and training opportunities, and case management.

7. Youth Empowerment Services (Yes) – New program

Texana

281-239-1485

YES waiver to provide a continuum of appropriate services and supports for families with children who have severe emotional disturbances. The program is designed to help families, when they have reached or exceeded their financial, emotional, or health care support resources. The YES waiver was developed and implemented to assist in the prevention of custody relinquishment of youth with serious emotional disturbances.

Texana Center and YES expect to;

·         provide a more complete community based services plan with supports for children with serious mental disturbances (SED)

·         prevent or reduce inpatient psychiatric admissions

·         prevent entry or recidivism into the foster care system or juvenile justice system in Fort Bend County

·         improve the overall potential of youth and their families, through the waiver funding.