New from NASHP: Emerging Respite Care Strategies in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers for Older Adults, Adults with Physical Disabilities, and their Family Caregivers

by Kimberly Hodges, Ella Taggart, Neva Kaye, Wendy Fox-Grage, National Academy for State Health Policy, May 2023

Respite care is one of the most desired caregiver services and a key component of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. Although most states offer respite through Medicaid, varied program policies and payment rates among states greatly affect caregivers’ access to high-quality respite services.

Findings from this report offer key insights on how states currently deliver respite care — and emerging strategies that other states can replicate. Information for the report was gathered from interviews with administrators from seven states that are taking innovative approaches to administering respite care. Find out how Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, and Washington are using Medicaid home and community-based waivers to meet the unique needs of older adults and adults with physical disabilities.