A snapshot of Georgia: Independent Care Waiver Program, a program of the Georgia Department of Community Health [Feb. 2009]

A Program Of The Georgia Department Of Community Health
A SNAPSHOT OF GEORGIA
Independent Care Waiver Program

Overview
The Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) offers services that help a limited number of adult Medicaid recipients with physical disabilities live in their own homes or in the community instead of a hospital or nursing home. ICWP services also are available for persons with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The program operates under a Home and Community Based Waiver (1915(c)) granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Eligibility Criteria
Independent Care is for eligible Medicaid recipients who have severe physical disabilities, are between the ages of 21 and 64 when they apply and meet the criteria below:
Capable of directing their own services (individuals with a TBI do not have to meet this criteria); Have a severe physical impairment and/or TBI that substantially limits one or more activities of daily living and requires the assistance of another individual; Medically stable but at risk of placement in a hospital or nursing facility because community-based support services are not available; and Certified for a level of care appropriate for placement in either a hospital or nursing facility.

Services Provided
As appropriate to their asessed needs, members are offered service coordination, personal support, home health, emergency response, respite, specialized medical equipment and supplies, counseling, and/or home modification ICWP does not pay for room and board in residential settings Families/clients and their case manager work together as team to establish a plan of care. The plan assesses your present circumstances, strengths, needs, goals, services required, available providers and projected budget. Funds must be available for the plan to be approved by the state Medicaid agency

Other factors also help determine whether eligible applicants can receive waiver services. Those factors may include: currently residing in a hospital or nursing facility, length of time on the waiting list, ability to live independently and the estimated cost of care (based on the projected care plan).

People who are considering nursing home or other institutional care may be eligible for home and community-based services as an alternative through Georgia's Medicaid waiver program.
In order to qualify for the waiver programs, the individual must meet the criteria for Medicaid payment in an institution and certain other criteria as outlined above. The person is then offered the choice between community-based services or institutional care as long as the community services do not cost more than the institutional care.

Enrollment
ICWP served 850 people in FY08. Many individuals enrolled in the program have been transitioned out of nursing facilities and back into the community.

2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 www.dch.georgia.gov

February 2009

A Snapshot Of Independent Care Waiver Program
How to Apply for ICWP
To apply for ICWP, contact the Georgia Health Partnership (GHP) at 678-527-3632 or 1-800-982-0411. GHP will ask potential recipients questions over the phone, have them submit an application and schedule an in-person assessment. Based on the information provided, people may be eligible for ICWP and approved to receive services as funding becomes available. Expenditures
Expenditures in FY08 totaled $37 million.