How to Get Home and Community Based Waiver Services
In-Home Operations (IHO) is
the unit within the California Department of Health Services (DHS) responsible
for implementing the In-Home Medical Care, Subacute, and Nursing Facility
waivers. “Waivers” allow states to waive certain federal Medicaid rules in
order to make an array of home and community-based services available to
targeted groups of people who would otherwise require long term care in a
nursing facility, including a subacute facility or a hospital. Waivers help people get services in the
community that might not otherwise be available to them under the regular
Medi-Cal program. These services
include:
·
Habilitation
(Independent Living Skills Training)
·
Nursing Services
·
Home Health Aide
Services
·
Attendant
Care/Personal Care Services
·
Home
Modifications
·
Emergency
Response Systems
·
Case Management
(including for up to 180 days before discharge)
·
Family Training
·
Medical Equipment
Operating Expenses
·
Waiver Service
Coordination
·
Community
Transition Services (up to $5,000)
·
Home and facility
respite
You can apply for waiver
services by calling IHO Intake at:
1-916-552-9105 in
You will be asked for
information such as your name, address, date of birth, and information about
your disability. IHO will then send you
out a packet of materials including a questionnaire and a brochure about waiver
services. The nursing facility A/B Waiver
has a waitlist, but make sure to be put on the wait list, so when more spaces
become available, you will be able to get services sooner. Having a wait list also helps advocates argue
that the state needs to make the waiver larger.
F:\DOCS\CRYSTAL\IHO Waiver
Materials\How to Get Waiver Services.doc