Example

Eric's Story

Eric has multiple sclerosis. He’s been living on his own for most of his adult life and has always valued his independence. In recent months, Eric’s health has worsened. He has a hard time cooking for himself and the nursing services he receives under his Medical Assistance (MA) plan are not extensive enough to meet his needs. He’s also having a hard time with daily tasks like bathing and cleaning his apartment.

Several friends have recommended he consider moving into a nursing facility, but Eric does not want to do that. He starts searching the Internet to see if he can come up with an alternative. That’s when he read about Minnesota’s MA-Waiver programs. MA-Waiver programs are available to certain MA and Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) enrollees, and are designed to help people live in the community rather than in an institution.

“This is good,” Eric thinks to himself. “I may be on to something here.”

Eric's Options

The CADI Waiver provides services for people who want to live in the community who would otherwise have to live in a nursing facility.

Eric reads up on several different MA-Waiver programs. There’s one that serves people with traumatic brain injuries (the BI Waiver) and another that serves people with developmental disabilities (the DD Waiver). Those aren’t for him. Then he starts reading about the Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver. It provides services for people who want to live in the community who would otherwise have to live in a nursing facility. And it provides all the services he needs including extended nursing services, homemaker services, home delivered meals, and assisted living services.

The Application Process

Eric goes down to his county or tribal human services office the next morning to get more information on MA-Waiver programs and to apply. In addition to filling out an application, he schedules a MnCHOICES assessment for two weeks later, where he'll be screened for MA-Waiver programs.

When Eric returns for his screening, he meets with John, a social worker, and Kimberly, a public health nurse. Together, the two handle the assessment. John and Kimberly ask Eric a series of questions to help assess whether he can live safely in the community, with the support of MA-Waiver services, rather than in a nursing facility. They also ask him questions to determine what types of MA-Waiver services he’d need.

Ultimately, Eric is approved for the CADI program. He is ecstatic. He and a social worker draft an individual plan of care that outlines the CADI Waiver services Eric will need. Then they review the things Eric will need to do to retain his MA-Waiver services.

First and foremost, he must retain his disability-based eligibility for MA. Without MA, he can’t receive MA-Waiver services. This means Eric needs to keep his assets below the disability-based MA asset limit ($3,000). Further, he needs to keep his countable monthly income below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines ($1,255). There are actually ways he could earn more money and keep his MA, but the social worker doesn’t want to get into that with Eric at the moment. If his income increases, Eric will Chat with a Hub expert about how he can keep his MA coverage.

Eric also needs to be sure and stay of top of things. This means filling out renewal forms on time, participating in any assessments that are requested, and following any guidelines laid out in his individual plan of care.

Eric is thrilled. He’s going to be able to stay in his community and continue to live independently with the supports he needs. The CADI Waiver program is an ideal fit for Eric.