You may be elderly and have an impairment, but you do not want to move to a nursing facility. You have heard about a Medicaid waiver that could help you remain in your home. What is this waiver all about, and how would you qualify?
Medicaid in Colorado
Health First Colorado is the name of the Medicaid program in our state. You may already be a member or are considering whether becoming a member would be a good option for you. There is a waiver attached to the program that allows people who qualify to remain in their own homes rather than move to a nursing facility. If you are 65 years of age or older, are visually impaired or have another functional impairment, you have cleared the first hurdles for eligibility for the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver.
Other criteria
To qualify for the waiver, you must be a person who requires the same level of long-term support a nursing facility provides. In terms of financial requirements, your countable resources as a single person must amount to less than $2,000. Additionally, your income must be less than three times the monthly Supplemental Security Income.
What to expect
If you qualify for the waiver, you can expect to receive many services, including
- Adult Day Services
- Homemaker Services
- In-Home Support Services
- Non-Medical Transportation
- Personal Care Services
- Personal Emergency Response System
Exploring the waiver
There are many misconceptions about Medicaid and planning for the future you have in mind. Some people think they own too many assets to qualify for program eligibility. Others believe Medicaid is only for poor people, which is not true. If you are interested in a waiver that could help you remain in your own home, you may want to learn more about the legal aspects and whether this program would be of benefit to you.