Criteria for Priority Medicaid Waivers
 

Medicaid Waivers are available under the following priority criteria:   

1.   Loss of a primary caregiver, where there is no other caregiver available. 

Circumstances, which have resulted in the loss of a primary caregiver may include death, long term institutionalization, long term incapacitation, or long term incarceration.  Individuals meeting these circumstances will be considered to receive a Developmental Disabilities Waiver under the Priority Criteria.  This will apply when the loss is that of the individual’s primary caregiver, even if another family member remains, but cannot fulfill the role of primary caregiver. Application for waiver slot which results from such a loss should be made within 6 months of the loss.  After 6 months, it will be assumed that the person providing care for the individual has assumed the responsibility as primary caregiver for more than an interim basis. In situations in which the individual will not be residing with the family, plan should include shared services and two or three housemates. 

2.  Indiana State Department of Health requirement that a person must move from a Medicaid funded group home (W198).

3.  Children aging out of residential or group home settings funded by DOE, DFC or Medicaid. Children must be referred to appropriate Medicaid funded ICFMR group homes first, if families are not willing or able to provide care. A referral for a priority waiver slot is placement of last resort unless it is a situation with two or three housemates, shared services, etc., that are less costly than an appropriate group home.  There must be a documented effort at locating group home placement in these situations, with application to multiple homes if needed.  The arrangements for the housemates and shared staffing must be arranged prior to approval of CCB.

4.  As of May, 2007 Priority Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers are available to eligible individuals whose primary care giver is age 80 and older.   For information, go to:  http://www.arcind.org/Priority%20Medicaid%20Waivers%20-%20Caregivers%20Age%2080+.htm

5.  As of August, 2007 Priority Support Services Waivers are available to eligible individuals ages 18-24 who are no longer in school.  For information, go to:  Priority Medicaid Waiver for Young Adults Leaving High School

Families should immediately contact their local BDDS office to apply for a priority Medicaid Waiver. 

Applications for Medicaid should be made at the local office of Division of Family Resources. 
Contact information for BDDS offices can be found at: 
http://www.arcind.org/PDF%20Files/BDDS%20District%20Map.pdf