A waiver is a funding mechanism which allows the state to offer community-based services as an alternative to institutional services. The term waiver specifically refers to two elements of home and community-based services:
First, the state applies to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a special waiver or a special allowance from the services typically included in the State Medicaid Plan. This waiver allows the state to use Medicaid funds to provide alternative community supports for a targeted population who is at risk for institutionalization.
Second, the individuals served waive the institutional services for which they are eligible in order to receive community-based supports.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) currently operates four waiver programs.
The Community Waiver, which provides community-based supports to people with mental retardation who have high levels of need.
Two In-Home support Waivers, one for children and one for adults. These waivers are intended to serve people who can be served through a combination of community resources, regular Medicaid services and waiver services. These waivers are capped at $12,820 of services per year for children ages 3-17 years of age, and $19,225 offer services per year for adults.
The Homeward Bound Waiver was created to provide services and supports to the members of the Plaintiff Class of the Homeward Bound et al vs. The Hissom Memorial Center et al. (The Hissom Memorial Center was one of DDSD's long-term care facilities prior to 1994). This waiver program meets the stipulations set by the federal court for serving the individuals who lived at the center during a certain period of time.
For additional information, please contact the Area Office near you.