Medicaid Waivers

To qualify for the Indiana Medicaid Waivers, individuals must meet both Indiana Medicaid eligibility criteria and the requirements for the specific Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program.

Indiana Medicaid serves a variety of populations, including some of the most vulnerable, such as children and people with disabilities. Medicaid can help ensure your medical needs are not obstacles to achieving self-sufficient and productive lives.

Indiana’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs provide support to individuals who need long-term services, allowing them to remain in their homes and communities rather than in institutional settings. Each HCBS program serves specific populations and has its own eligibility requirements. The Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) administers programs that support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives through community supports and residential options. Services are delivered using an individualized, person-centered approach where all people have equal access and opportunity to realize their good life.

Application Process

*Note – Parents’ earnings and savings do not count towards the child’s waiver eligibility.

Make sure to Download BDS Application Instructions to help fill out the online application.

Click “Apply Using Access Indiana” to start the online application.

If you would prefer to mail-in a paper application, Download BDS Application. Mail it to your local BDS office, follow this link to find your county office mailing address.

Family Support Waiver (FSW)

The Family Support Waiver (FSW) is intended to provide flexible, individualized supports that help people with disabilities develop life skills, participate in their communities, and maintain meaningful relationships while living in the least restrictive environment possible

To be eligible:

  • Be diagnosed as having an intellectual disability, developmental disability, or related condition with an onset prior to the age of 22, and the condition must be expected to continue indefinitely
  • Must meet Level of Care. Meaning the child or adult has substantial functional limitations in at least 6 major life areas:
    • Self-care
    • Learning
    • Self-direction
    • Capacity for independent living
    • Understanding
    • Use of Language
    • Mobility
  • You must also meet the requirements of eligibility for a compatible Medicaid category.
    • If you are under the age of 18 years, household income eligibility requirements for Medicaid are not considered, and only the income/assets of the child is taken into consideration.
      • If the individual/ family is requesting Medicaid coverage for the 90 days prior to the Medicaid application date, then household income eligibility requirements are taken into consideration.
    • If you are age 18 years and above, you must apply and be found eligible for benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Eligible individuals may receive authorized waiver services in conjunction with Traditional Medicaid. Authorized waiver services may include:

  • Adult Day Services
  • Behavioral Support Services
  • Case Management
  • Day Habilitation
  • Environment Modifications
  • Extended Services
  • Facility-Based Habilitation
  • Family & Caregiver Training
  • Intensive Behavioral Intervention
  • Music Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Participant Assistance and Care (PAC)
  • Personal Emergency Response System
  • Physical Therapy
  • Psychological Therapy
  • Prevocational Services
  • Recreational Therapy
  • Remote Supports
  • Respite
  • Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies
  • Speech/Language Therapy
  • Transportation Services
  • Workplace Assistance

Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver (CIH)

The Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver is intended for individuals with more significant support needs, providing a higher funding level and a wider range of services than the Family Supports Waiver to help them achieve their personal goals and live successfully in their communities.

To be eligible:

  • Be diagnosed with an intellectual disability, developmental disability or related condition with an onset prior to the age of 22 years and the condition must be expected to continue indefinitely.
  • Must meet Level of Care. Meaning the child or adult has substantial functional limitations in at least 3 of 6 major life areas:
    • Selfcare
    • Learning
    • self-direction
    • capacity for independent living
    • Understanding
    • Use of language
    • Mobility.
  • You must meet the requirements of eligibility for a compatible Medicaid category.
    • If you are under the age of 18 years, household income eligibility requirements for Medicaid are disregarded and only the income/assets of the child are taken into consideration.
      • If the individual/ family is requesting coverage for the 90 days before the application date, then household income eligibility requirements are taken into consideration.
  • You must also meet at least one of the following priority criteria:
    • Individuals transitioning to the community from a nursing facility, an extensive support needs facility, and a state-operated facility
    • Death of a primary caregiver where there is no other caregiver available
    • Caregiver over the age of 80 years when there is no other caregiver available
    • Individuals determined to no longer need/receive active treatment in Supervised Group Living
    • Evidence of abuse or neglect in the current institutional or Supervised Group Living placement
    • Individuals transitioning from 100% state-funded services
    • Extraordinary health and safety risk as reviewed and approved by the Division Director
    • Individuals aging out of the Department of Education, Department of Child Services or Supervised Group Living
    • Individuals requesting to leave a large private Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

*Note – There must be a funded slot available, and the Bureau of Disability Services has determined that other service options are neither appropriate nor available.

Eligible individuals may receive authorized waiver services in conjunction with Traditional Medicaid. Authorized waiver services may include:

  • Adult Day Services
  • Behavioral Support Services
  • Case Management
  • Community Transitions
  • Day Habilitation
  • Electronic Monitoring
  • Extended Services
  • Facility-Based Support Services
  • Family & Caregiver Training
  • Intensive Behavioral Intervention
  • Music Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Personal Emergency Response System
  • Physical Therapy
  • Psychological Therapy
  • Prevocational Services
  • Recreational Therapy
  • Remote Supports
  • Rent and Food for Unrelated Live-In Caregiver
  • Residential Habilitation and Support
  • Respite
  • Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies
  • Speech/Language Therapy
  • Structured Family Caregiving
  • Transportation
  • Wellness Coordination
  • Workplace Assistance

Other Waivers Available for those with disabilities:

Health and Wellness Waiver (“H&W”)

Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver (“TBI”)