Medicaid Home- and Community-Based (HCBS) Elderly Waiver (E)
What is it?
The Elderly Waiver provides money for services and provides support so that people can stay in their own homes or communities rather than move to a care facility. In addition to having access to the waiver services, people on the Elderly Waiver also have access to Medicaid services and benefits. Medicaid services include primary care, behavioral health services, skilled nursing care, dental, vision, and emergency care.
What services are available?
Elderly Waiver services are specific to the individual and may include the following:
- Adult Day Care
- Assisted Living Service
- Assistive Devices
- Case Management
- Chore
- Consumer-Directed Attendant Care
- Emergency Response System
- Home and Vehicle Modification
- Home Delivered Meals
- Home Health Aide
- Homemaker
- Mental Health Outreach
- Nursing Care
- Nutritional Counseling
- Respite
- Senior Companions
- Transportation
- Consumer Choices Option
Who is eligible?
A person may be eligible if they are 65 years of age or older, are eligible for Medicaid, and meet level of care requirements.
An person in need of nursing home level of care who may not otherwise qualify for Medicaid may qualify by creating a "Miller Trust," also called a "medical assistance income trust." Not all trusts qualify as a "Miller Trust" and there are rules about what kinds of funds can go into the trust and who can receive funds from it. Not following those rules can result in someone becoming ineligible for Medicaid. Before any trust is set up, it is important that you speak with an attorney who understands the Medicaid rules. To learn more about Miller Trusts and how one might be used, visit the Iowa Legal Aid website here.
Where can I get more information or help?
- For help with applying for Medicaid or the waiver, contact Iowa Medicaid Member Services at 1-800-338-8366 or locally in the Des Moines area at 515-256-4606, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For telephone accessibility assistance if you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or have difficulty speaking, call Relay Iowa TTY at 1-800-735-2942. Detailed information about waivers can be found here.
- You can also contact your local area agency on aging/aging and disabilities resource center for help with applying for Medicaid or the waiver. Visit Lifelong Links to find the agency in your area.
- Iowa Legal Aid is a non-profit agency that provides legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans. Information can be found on the Iowa Legal Aid website and they can be reached by phone at 800-532-1503 or, for Iowans 60 or older, 800-992-8161.