The Basics

Minnesota’s MA-Waiver programs provide services that help people with disabilities live in the community rather than in an institution.

These programs are a part of Medical Assistance (MA). You must qualify for disability-based MA or for Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) to enroll in a MA-Waiver program.

Note: Many people get income-based MA, not disability-based MA. If you get MA and are not sure whether you get it is disability-based, Chat with a Hub expert to check or contact your local county or tribal human services office.

There are five different MA-Waiver programs in Minnesota, four of which will be discussed in this section. Each individual program serves a different population:

• The Community Alternative Care (CAC) Waiver serves people with disabilities who need the level of care normally provided in a hospital.
• The Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver serves people with disabilities who need the level of care normally provided in a nursing facility.
• The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver serves people with developmental disabilities or related conditions who need the level of care normally provided in an Intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD).
• The Brain Injury (BI) Waiver provides services to people with a documented brain injury who need neurobehavioral hospital or nursing facility level of care.

The Elderly Waiver and the Alternative Care Program serve people age 65 or older and won’t be discussed in this section.