- What Programs Are Available To Assist Elderly Adults in Minnesota?
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What Medicaid Waiver Programs are in Minnesota? Minnesota has several waivers including:
- Elderly Waiver
- Community Alternative Care
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Community Alternative Care
- Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals
What state department handles the Medicaid waiver program for elderly persons in Minnesota? The Minnesota Department of Human Services Aging and Adult Services manage publicly funded programs that support people age 65 and over.
What programs assist older adults in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Elderly Waiver (EW) is available to persons age 65 and over who are eligible for Medical Assistance (MA), and who require the nursing facility level of care provided in a nursing home, but choose to reside in the community. Counties, tribal entities and health plan partners administer the program.
In addition, the Alternative Care Program (AC) is a state-funded cost-sharing program that provides home and community based services for Minnesotans age 65 and over who meet the nursing facility level of care. The Alternative Care Program provides services to seniors in the community in order to prevent impoverishment and delay nursing facility placement. Counties and tribes administer the program.What is the best number to call to get started? Call the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433 or contact your county or tribal social service agency to learn more about elderly waivers and senior services.
Is there a website?
http://mn.gov/dhs or http://www.minnesotahelp.info - Who Qualifies For Assistance?
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Who qualifies for the Elderly Waiver in Minnesota?
Elderly Waiver
- A person age 65 and over, eligible for MA and in need of nursing facility level of care as determined by the Long-Term Care Consultation process.
- The EW cost of service for an individual cannot be greater than the estimated nursing home cost for that person.
- • The person chooses to receive home and community-based services instead of nursing facility services.
Alternative Care
- A person is age 65 and older who is assessed through the Long-Term Care Consultation process and is eligible if:
- The person is in need of nursing facility level of care
- The person’s income and assets are inadequate to fund a nursing facility stay of more than 135 days
- The monthly cost of services is less than 75 percent of the average Medicaid payment limit for older people with a comparable case mix classification
- The person chooses to receive home and community-based services instead of nursing facility services
- The person pays the assessed monthly fee
- Is There a Waiting List For Services?
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How long is the waiting list for Elderly Waiver Services in Minnesota? There are no waiting lists for services for either the Elderly Waiver or Alternative Care Programs. About 23,000 seniors were eligible for the Elderly Waiver Program and about 2,900 seniors were eligible for the Alternative Care Program each month in FY13.
- What Services Are Offered & What Are The Service Limitations?
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What services does the Medicaid waiver program offer in Minnesota?
Covered services for the Elderly Waiver Program include: Adult day service; Case management; Chore services; Companion services; Consumer-directed community supports; Home health aides; Home-delivered meals; Homemaker services; Licensed community residential services(customized living service/24-hour customized living services, family and corporate foster care, residential care); Environmental accessibility adaptations; Personal Care; Respite care; Skilled nursing; Specialized equipment and supplies; Personal emergency response systems; Training and support for family caregivers; Transitional supports; and Nonmedical transportation.
Covered services for the Alternative Care Program include the same service set as the Elderly Waiver Program except, it does not include: Licensed community residential services(customized living service/24-hour customized living services, family and corporate foster care, residential care); Transitional supports; Covered services by the Alternative Care Program but not EW include:; Nutrition services; and Conversion case management. - How Do You Select A Provider?
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Who will provide my services?
Providers do not work for the state in Minnesota, however the state enrolls providers that meet professional, certification and/or licensure requirements according to state and federal laws.
About 93% of Elderly Waiver clients receive services authorized through managed care organizations, but Alternative Care clients receive care authorized by case managers and providers are paid fee for service.
Adult children of aging parents can be paid as caregivers through the Consumer Directed Community Supports Program (CDCS). - Additional Information
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A list of senior centers, community programs and recreation in Minnesota are listed on MinnesotaHelp.info. Some of the services listed include age peer networking, computer classes, falls prevention, fishing and hunting, libraries, parks and recreation, safe driving training, senior centers, physical fitness programs, social clubs and events and multipurpose centers. Information on transportation services, assistive technology, food assistance, caregiver services, housing and adult day service providers can also be found on MinnesotaHelp.info.