- What Programs Are Available To Assist People With Disabilities in Tennessee?
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Is there a Medicaid waiver program in Tennessee? Tennessee has several waivers including:
- The Statewide Waiver (0128.R04)
- The Arlington Waiver (0357.R02)
- The Self-Determinatoin Waiver (0427.R01)
- TennCare CHOICES
What state department handles the Medicaid waiver program in Tennessee? The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) is the state agency responsible for providing services and supports to Tennessee residents with intellectual disabilities.
What programs assist people who have developmental disabilities in Tennessee? The Statewide Waiver (0128.R04); The Arlington Waiver (0357.R02); and The Self-determination Waiver (0427.R01) assist persons with developmental disabilities in Tennessee.
What is the best number to call to get started? Call (800) 342-3145 to learn more about programs that assist persons with developmental disabilities in Tennessee.
Is there a website? https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/mental-health-services.html
- Who Qualifies For Assistance?
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What is considered a developmental disability in Tennessee? "Developmental disability" means a condition based on having either a severe chronic disability or mental retardation. [TCA §33-1-101(10)]
Are there income limits to receive services? Yes, you may not have more money than the amount allowed to get on Medicaid.
How old do you have to be to start receiving services? Persons with developmental disabilities of all ages may qualify for waiver services.
- Is There a Waiting List For Services?
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How long is the waiting list in Tennessee? You can expect to wait about six years before receiving Medicaid waiver services in Tennessee.
How many people are on the waiting list in Tennessee? There are over 7,000 persons with developmental disabilities waiting for waiver services in Tennessee.
How many people are currently receiving services? There are currently 7,177 persons with developmental disabilities receiving waiver services in Tennessee. There are also 3,385 persons aged and disabled receiving waiver services.
What assistance is available while you wait? Some services may be available for urgent needs.
Is there priority preference for people who are in crisis? Yes.
- What Services Are Offered & What Are The Service Limitations?
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What services does the Medicaid waiver program offer in Tennessee?
The Statewide Waiver (0128.R04) serves Tennessee citizens with intellectual disabilities. The target population consists of children with developmental delays and adults and children with intellectual disability who meet ICF/IID level of care criteria. The following waiver services are available based on assessed participant need: Adult Dental Services; Behavioral Respite Services; Behavior Services; Day Services; Environmental Accessibility Modifications; Family Model Residential Support; Individual Transportation Services; Intensive Behavior Residential Services; Medical Residential Services; Nursing Services; Nutrition Services; Occupational Therapy Services; Orientation and Mobility Services for Impaired Vision; Personal Assistance; Personal Emergency Response Systems; Physical Therapy Services; Residential Habilitation; Respite; Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies & Assistive Technology; Speech, Language, & Hearing Services; Supported Living; Support Coordination; and Transitional Case Management
The Arlington Waiver (#0357.R02) program serves Tennessee citizens with intellectual disabilities who have service needs that can be satisfactorily met with a cost-effective array of home and community services that complement other supports available to them in their homes and the community. These individuals qualify for and absent the provision of waiver services, would be placed in an ICF/IID. The target population for this waiver consists of persons with intellectual disabilities who meet ICF/IID level of care criteria and are class members certified in United States vs. State of Tennessee, et al. (Arlington Developmental Center). The Arlington Waiver includes the same services available in The Statewide Waiver.
The Self-Determination Waiver (0427.R01) serves Tennessee citizens with intellectual disabilities who have moderate service needs that can be met with a cost-effective array of home and community services that complement other supports available to them in their homes and the community. The Self-Determination Waiver Program affords participants the opportunity to lead the person-centered planning process and directly manage selected services, including the recruitment and management of service providers. Participants and families (as appropriate) electing self-determination are empowered and have the responsibility for managing a self-determination budget affording flexibility in service design and delivery. The following waiver services are available based on assessed participant need: Adult Dental Services; Personal Assistance; Personal Emergency Response Systems; Physical Therapy Services; Behavioral Respite Services; Behavior Services; Day Services; Respite; Environmental Accessibility Modifications; Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies & Assistive Technology; Individual Transportation Services; Nutrition Services; Semi-Independent Living Services; Speech, Language, & Hearing Services; Occupational Therapy Services; Nursing Services; and Orientation and Mobility Services for Impaired Vision.Does Tennessee offer community group homes? Yes, Tennessee offers Residential Habilitation services. Residential Habilitation: A group home where a provider owns or leases the home. Staff help teach skills for daily living. These are skills such as bathing, dressing, and making their bed.
Does Tennessee offer supported living? Supported living services are offered on the Arlington and Statewide waiver. Supported Living is not offered on the Self Determination Waiver. Supported Living: A home that is under the control and responsibility of the recipients living in the home. This home is owned, rented or leased by those living in the home. Staff helps with things that need to be done each day such as bathing, dressing, paying bills. They can also help the recipient go to places like the bank or grocery store. No more than three people can live together in supported living.
Are there still state owned institutions? How many people are living in institutions? There are two long-term care facilities in the system: Clover Bottom Developmental Center in Nashville and Greene Valley Developmental Center in Greeneville. Clover Bottom Development Center (CBDC) has a population of 42. Greene Valley Developmental Center (GVDC) has a population of 193.
- How Do You Select A Provider?
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Do providers work for the state? No, providers are individual and agency providers.
About how many providers are there in the state? There are about 477 waiver providers in Tennessee.
Do you have a choice in providers? Yes, you are encouraged to select your own Medicaid waiver providers.
- How Do You Become A Provider?
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Call (800) 852-2683 for information about becoming a provider in Tennessee.
- Additional Information
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TennCare is the name of the Tennessee State Medicaid Agency. It is also the name of the State’s Medicaid Program for medical and behavioral primary care services. The TennCare program provides health care coverage for more than one million people. In addition, the Bureau of TennCare has a variety of long-term care programs managed by the TennCare Division of Developmental Disability Services (TDDDS). These include three Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.