- What Programs Are Available To Assist People With Disabilities in Virginia?
-
Is there a Medicaid waiver program in Virginia? Virginia has several waivers including:
- Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD);
- HIV / AIDS;
- Alzheimer's Assisted Living (AAL) ;
- Technology Assisted (Tech);
- Day Support HCBW for Persons with MR;
- Individual and Family DD Support (IFDDS);
- Intellectual Disability (ID)
- CCC Plus Waiver – former EDCD and Tech Waivers combined
What state department handles the Medicaid waiver program in Virginia? The Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Service operates the Medicaid waiver program for persons with developmental disabilities.
What programs assist people who have developmental disabilities in Virginia? The Intellectual Disability waiver (ID) and The Individual & Family Development Disabilities Support Waiver (IFDDS) assists persons with developmental disabilities who live in Virginia.
What is the best number to call to get started? Call The DBHDS Central Office at (804) 786-3921.
Is there a website? http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/ OR
Virginia Waivers - Who Qualifies For Assistance?
-
What is considered a developmental disability in Virginia? Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before the age of 18. The new 10th edition of Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports discusses the updated AAIDD definition and classification system in detail. It presents the latest thinking on intellectual disability and proposes tools and strategies to determine if an individual has intellectual disability. Further, the book suggests what supports can be used to optimize functioning of persons with intellectual disability.
Are there income limits to receive waiver services in Virginia? Yes. An eligibility worker from the local Department of Social Services determines an individual’s financial eligibility for Medicaid. Some individuals who would not ordinarily qualify financially for Medicaid may be eligible because they receive ID Waiver services.
How old do you have to be to start receiving waiver services in Virginia? Age requirements vary by waiver program. The Individual and Family Development Disabilities Support (IFDDS) waiver serves people age 6 and older. The Day Support Waiver serves people of all ages. The Intellectual Disability (ID) waiver serves people of all ages. The Alzheimers Assisted Living Waiver (AAL) serves people of all ages. The Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) waiver serves people of all ages. The Technology Assisted (Tech) waiver serves people of all ages.
- Is There a Waiting List For Services?
-
How long is the waiting list for waiver services in Virginia? Waiting lists vary by waiver program. Some of Virginia's waivers do not have a waiting list. However, both waivers that serve persons with developmental disabilities have long waiting lists. Virginia has a first-come-first served process for the waiting list. Slots are available for individuals transferring directly from institutions via the Money Follows the Person program, in addition to the allocated slots. These individuals do not follow the waiting list first-come-first served process. You can expect to wait several years before receiving services on either The Intellectual Disability waiver (ID) or The Individual & Family Development Disabilities Support Waiver (IFDDS). There are almost 8,000 people with developmental disabilities waiting for waiver services in Virginia.
How many people are on the waiting list in Virginia? Waiting lists vary by waiver program. The Day Support Waiver does not have a waiting list. The Intellectual Disability (ID) waiver has 6571 people on the waiting list. The Alzheimers Assisted Living Waiver (AAL) does not have a waiting list. The Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) waiver does not have a waiting list. The Individual and Family Development Disabilities Support (IFDDS) waiver has 1382 people on the waiting list. The Technology Assisted (Tech) waiver does not have a waiting list.
How many people are currently receiving waiver services in Virginia? The Day Support Waiver currently serves 240 people. The Intellectual Disability (ID) waiver currently serves 9400 people. The Alzheimers Assisted Living Waiver (AAL) currently serves 38 people. The Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) waiver currently serves 26,772 people. The Individual and Family Development Disabilities Support (IFDDS) waiver currently serves 891 people. The Technology Assisted (Tech) waiver currently serves 330 people.
What assistance is available while you wait? The Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) waiver does not have a waiting list. It may be used while on the waiting list for other services.
Is there priority preference for people who are in crisis? Yes. Emergency waiver slots become available when the General Assembly allocates slots for the DD Waiver.
- What Services Are Offered & What Are The Service Limitations?
-
What services does the Medicaid waiver program offer in Virginia? The ID Waiver has many services to support you after transitioning to the community. The following services are available to individuals meeting the specific service criteria who have been assigned an ID Waiver slot: Assistive Technology; Companion (agency or consumer directed); Crisis Stabilization; Day Support; Environmental Modifications; Personal Assistance (agency or consumer directed); Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS); Prevocational Services; Residential Support Services; Respite (agency or consumer directed); Services Facilitation (SF); Skilled Nursing Services; Supported Employment; Therapeutic Consultation; and Transition Services.
Does Virginia offer community group homes? Yes. Group home residential services provide 24-hour supervision to several individuals at the same time from the same staff in a community-based home operated by a provider agency licensed by DBHDS. Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Related Conditions (ICFs/ID) are not considered to be group home residential services. A community ICF/ID home is different from a group home because it provides more intensive training and supervision than may be available in an assisted living facility or group home. ICF/ID homes typically provide services to four to twelve individuals in a larger setting. Community ICF/ID homes are licensed by the DBHDS, but also certified for Medicaid by the Department of Health, and Office of Licensing and Certification.
Does Virginia offer supported living services? No, supported living is not a services offered in Virginia. There are, however, some services that provide some support to people who live in their own homes such as personal care services.
Are there still state owned institutions? How many people are living in institutions? Virginia has five large state facilities housing 1,150 persons with developmental disabilities. Intellectual Disability Facilities include: Central Virginia Training Center; Northern Virginia Training Center; Southeastern Virginia Training Center; Southside Virginia Training Center; and Southwestern Virginia Training Center.
- How Do You Select A Provider?
-
Do waiver providers work for the state? No
About how many providers are there in Virginia? There are 1,361 licensed providers in Virginia.
Do you have a choice in providers? Yes. The rights of Medicaid-eligible persons to choose the provider of services they receive under Virginia’s Medicaid State Plan, as well as Home and Community Based Waivers, are established in Section 1902 of the Social Security Act, and are therefore prerequisites to receiving federal Medicaid reimbursement.
- How Do You Become A Provider?
-
To become a provider in Virginia, call the Provider Helpline. If you live in the state of Virginia, the Provider Helpline number is (800) 552-8627. If you live out of state, that number is (804) 786-6273.
- Additional Information
-
Money Follows the Person (MFP) gives individuals of all ages and all disabilities who live in institutions in Virginia new options for community living. No age or disability is excluded from participation. In 2008, Virginia launched Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Project to provide extra supports and services to Virginians who choose to transition from long-term care institutions into the community. Virginia is one of 45 states participating in MFP, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services through 2016. This project supports Virginia's Olmstead initiative. MFP is a joint effort between the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Office of Community Integration, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and other state agencies and stakeholders.
The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) is designed to assist individuals on the waiting list for the intellectual disability (ID) or developmental disability (DD) Medicaid waivers to access short-term resources, supports, and services that will help them remain in their own community homes. The IFSP program will support a total of 1,000 individuals and families throughout Virginia each year from FY 2014 to FY 2021. The program supported 825 individuals in the first year of the program in FY 2013. The settlement agreement between the Commonwealth and the U.S. Department of Justice on Virginia’s Intellectual and Developmental Disability System requires the IFSP to run until 2021.