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Glam Journal

What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicaid waiver?

Author

Elijah King

Updated on March 15, 2026

What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicaid waiver?

Medicaid, in all states, pays for care for individuals that reside in nursing homes; this is often referred to as Long Term Care Medicaid, LTC Medicaid, or Institutional Medicaid. Waivers are state specific Medicaid programs that allow for services to be provided outside of nursing homes.

What is a 1915c waiver?

Waivers. Enacted in the same 1981 legislation as Section 1915(b) freedom-of-choice waivers, Section 1915(c) allows states to obtain waivers of comparability requirements, in order to offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) to limited groups of enrollees as an alternative to institutional care.

What is Florida Medicaid waiver program?

Waiver Description This Florida Medicaid waiver is designed to help the elderly and permanently disabled adults. It is intended specifically to allow persons at risk for nursing home placement to remain living in their homes or in the homes of their caregivers and to receive assistance in those locations.

Which states have HCBS waivers?

Seven states—Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Montana and New Hampshire—are using a Section 1115 waiver to implement their Medicaid expansion.

How does the waiver program work?

A waiver program allows the state to waive some requirements to meet the needs of individuals. For example, a waiver may help a person with an increased likelihood of requiring long-term care, such as those with behavioral issues or technologically dependent children.

What are the different types of waivers?

Types of Waivers

  • Waiver of Liability. A waiver of liability is a provision in a contract by which any person participating in an activity forfeits the right to sue the organization.
  • Waiver of Premium.
  • Waiver of Subrogation.
  • Loan Waiver.

What is the role of waivers with CMS?

Under a waiver program, a state can waive certain Medicaid program requirements, allowing the state to provide care for people who might not otherwise be eligible under Medicaid. Waivers can be used along with federal, state, and local programs, such as Medicaid state plans and Administration on Aging grants.

How do I get a Medicaid waiver in Florida?

If you feel you are Medicaid eligible, please contact the Florida Department of Children and Families at 1-866-762-2237. If you are under the age of 21, you may qualify for services under the Medicaid State plan. Please contact the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration at 1-888-419-3456 for more information.

Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver in Florida?

Spouses cannot be paid as caregivers, but adult children and other relatives can be compensated. Therefore, an elderly veteran can hire their adult child (or another relative or friend) to provide them with personal care and the amount they pay their caregiver can be deducted from their income.

What do Medicaid waivers do?

Medicaid waivers are for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. The waivers allow healthcare professionals to provide care in a person’s home or community instead of a long-term care facility. Medicare is a federal program.

Can Medicare pay for waiver services?

When you qualify for a Medicaid HCBS waiver program, Medicare still covers medical services you may need beyond your home health care.

Who is eligible for the waiver program?

Generally, states offer HCBS waivers to elderly people (aged 65 or over), physically disabled people, adults and children with developmental disabilities, and medically fragile people (who require life support or other extensive medical equipment).

What are the different Medicaid Waiver programs?

Medicaid Waiver Programs. Page Content. ​The Bureau for Medical Services has four Waiver Programs: The Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) is for people age 18 or older who meet the medical criteria of receiving nursing home care and who meet financial requirements.

How do I apply for Title 19 (Medicaid)?

You apply for Title 19 (Medicaid) in the state in which you live. Call or visit the nearest Department of Social Service office for an application if you don’t have access to a computer. Mailing or Faxing Documents to DSS

What are the different types of waivers in California?

Current Waivers 1 AIDS Medi-Cal Waiver Program 2 Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) 3 Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver (formerly NF/AH Waiver) 4 Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for the Developmentally Disabled (HCBS-DD) Waiver 5 Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) 6 Self-Determination Program

What are medmedi-Cal waiver services?

Medi-Cal waiver services are geared toward specific populations and targeted groups based on need.