- What Programs Are Available To Assist People With Disabilities in Idaho?
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Is there a Medicaid waiver program? Idaho has several waivers including:
- DD
- Aged & Disabled
- Children's DD
- Act Early
What state department handles the Medicaid waiver program? Managed by the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS) within the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid.
What programs assist people who have developmental disabilities? The DD waiver and Children's DD waiver assist persons with disabilities.
What is the best number to call to get started? Call any of Idaho's State Specialists to get started.
(208) 239-6267
(208) 239-6267
(208-364-1906Is there a website? http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov
- Who Qualifies For Assistance?
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What is considered a developmental disability? Developmental Disabilities means a chronic disability of a person which appears before 22 years of age and: Is attributable to an impairment, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or other condition found to be closely related to or similar to one of these impairments that requires similar treatment or services, or is attributable to dyslexia resulting from such impairments. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity; self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, or economic self-sufficiency. Reflects the needs for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are of life-long or extended duration and individually planned and coordinated.
The definition of 'Developmental Disabilities' is found in Idaho Code 66-402(5).Are there income limits to receive services? Eligibility determinations are completed by an Independent Assessment Provider (IAP) contracted with the Department.
How old do you have to be to start receiving services? No, There is a waiver for both children and adults. Children's DD waiver serves 0-17. DD waiver serves 18 and up.
- Is There a Waiting List For Services?
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How long is the waiting list? There is no waiting list for Idaho's Medicaid waiver.
How many people are on the waiting list? N/A
How many people are currently receiving services? There are about 3,000 people currently getting Medicaid waiver services in Idaho.
What assistance is available while you wait? Eligibility should be completed within a couple of months.
Is there priority preference for people who are in crisis? N/A
- What Services Are Offered & What Are The Service Limitations?
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What services does the Medicaid waiver program offer? Residential habilitation, respite, supported employment, adult daycare, behavior consultation, chore, home delivered meals, personal emergency response system, and nursing.
What services are available to people living in the family home? respite
Does this state offer community group homes?
The only DD Waiver residential service is Residential Habilitation. There are other residential programs such as Residential Assisted Living Facilities (RALF) and Intermediate Care Facilities for the Intellectually Disabled (ICD/ID).
Certified Family Homes are available to adults with developmental disabilities and are generally limited to two or three non-family members in each home. Licensed Residential and Assisted Living Facilities are group living arrangements for adults who have varying needs for support. Intermediate Care Facilities for people who have developmental disabilities are group living arrangements for adults or children with developmental disabilities and intense needs to support. Children and adults must meet an institutional level of care in order to live in these facilities.
Does this state offer supported living? Many adults choose to live in their own home or apartment and use a variety of community resources and specialized supports. Adults who meet the criteria for Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Services are eligible for additional supports, like chore services, environmental modifications, and home delivered meals.
Are there still state owned institutions in Idaho? There is only one state institution in Idaho. The name of the institution is Southwest Idaho Treatment, formerly Nampa. There are about 50 people with developmental disabilities who live there, down from about 1,000 in the 1950's when it was common for persons with Developmental Disabilities to live in institutions.
- How Do You Select A Provider?
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Do providers work for the state? No
About how many providers are there in the state? There are about 100 Medicaid waiver providers in Idaho.
Do you have a choice in providers? Your plan developer will discuss your plan with you and your person centered panning team in order to come to agreement on your services and a budget. You and your plan developer may use the regional care manager when there are questions about services or the budget.
- How Do You Become A Provider?
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It could take up to 60 days to be certified to become a provider. Call (208) 364-1959, Division of Licensing and certification for information.
Is There A Fee? No, but Developmental Disability Agencies(DDA) must be certified by the state.
- Additional Information
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Independent Assessment Providers (IAP) has been contracted by the Department to review your documentation, do your assessment, and determine if you’re eligible to receive adult developmental disability services.
Idaho offers waiver services to eligible participants to prevent unnecessary institutional placement, provide for the greatest degree of independence possible, enhance the quality of life, encourage individual choice, and achieve and maintain community integration. The purpose of the Children's DD waiver is to support children and youth, ages 0 - 17, to remain in their family home and in the community.