INDIANA MEDICAID WAIVER FACT SHEET

What are Medicaid Waivers?

• Waivers provide funding for children with disabilities to receive support and services in the home and community rather than in an institutional setting.
• Indiana administers 5 home and community-based waivers which are divided based on level of care:
1. Developmental or Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded Level of Care (ICF/MR):
Autism Waiver, Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver, Support Services (SS) Waiver
2. Physical/medical or Nursing Facility Level of Care: Aged & Disabled (A&D) Waiver, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver

Why should I apply for a Medicaid Waiver for my child?

• Waivers cover services above and beyond the Medicaid state plan…such as attendant care, day services, home modifications (ramps), lifts for vehicles, some therapies, and other services not covered by other insurance plans.
• Waivers allow families to have more financial freedom by enabling them to maintain employment instead of remaining in poverty just to keep the child’s public insurance plan.
• Child becomes eligible for Medicaid Disability insurance. (Parents must apply when targeted for waiver.)
• Family income and assets are NOT considered when determining eligibility for a child under the age of 18.
• While on the waiting list, your child may be eligible for 10 hours per month of respite care through Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS) if funds are available.

Who may qualify for a Medicaid Waiver?

• Autism Waiver – Child must have diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder AND meet ICF/MR level of care
• Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver – Child must have developmental disability AND meet ICF/MR level of care
• Support Services (SS) Waiver - Any child who is eligible for the Autism or DD waiver
• Aged & Disabled (A&D) Waiver – Must meet nursing facility level of care
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver – Must meet nursing facility level of care

How do I apply for a Medicaid Waiver?

• If your child has:

Developmental disability or autism:

Contact: Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS)
224 W Jefferson Blvd Suite 200
South Bend, Ind. 46601
Phone 1-574-232-1412
Toll free 1-877-218-3059

Serious medical condition or traumatic brain injury (meets nursing facility level of care):

Contact: REAL SERVICES, INC.
1151 S. Michigan Street
P.O. Box 1835
South Bend, Ind. 46634
Phone 1-574-233-8205
Toll free 1-800-552-2916

• Many different names and terms are used when talking about waivers. Keep a record of what you apply for and to whom you speak about the process.
• If you think your child may be eligible and you are turned away or not supported in the process of applying, ask to speak to a supervisor to seek clarification on eligibility.
• Many children are eligible for more than one type of waiver. Apply for all waivers for which your child is eligible.




Why should I apply for the Medicaid Waiver now? I heard the waiting list is very long.

• The sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive services! Waiver recipients are usually targeted based on date of application.
• For a child who meets Nursing Facility Level of Care, waiver services can be helpful and received relatively quickly.
• For a child who meets ICF/MR level of care, applying now provides a greater likelihood that supports will be available as your child gets older.
• Applications can help the state government and service systems plan for and be ready to meet needs in the future.


What should I do and what should I expect after I apply?

• It is your responsibility to update the BDDS and/or SWIRCA office when your contact information changes, including your phone and address.
• Systems and programs change frequently. Be alert for information about changes to the waiver program. The Indiana F2F Parent Listserv is one place many parents keep up to date. To join, see directions below.
• Waiting lists change often. Know your date of application and, if needed, inquire at the BDDS or SWIRCA office about what date of application is currently being served. Waivers are usually targeted based on date of application.
• When a slot opens, the State of Indiana will send a letter informing you that your child has been targeted to receive waiver services. You will then also be contacted by the local BDDS or SWIRCA office, usually by phone.
• After your child has been targeted, someone from the local BDDS or SWIRCA office will come to your home to fill out paperwork and complete a Developmental Disabilities Profile.








For more detailed information, please contact:


About Special Kids: http://aboutspecialkids.org or toll free 1.800.964.4746

Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities Consumer Guide: http://www.in.gov/gpcpd/publications/#4

The ARC Network: http://www.arcind.org



Indiana Family to Family (F2F) Parent Listserv: For families of children with any disability. Use this group to exchange information and resources that will help build the knowledge base and leadership skills of other Indiana families. Common topics include transition, IEPs, types of therapies, diets, surgeries, coping, and general family to family support and encouragement. Send an email to INF2Fparents-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join. You will receive an email with further instructions about how to register on the Yahoo site and begin receiving messages.