Tennessee Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers

Home and Community-Based 1915(c) Waivers for Respite Support

Medicaid is a program in every state that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for America’s poorest people. Because Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal and state governments, the services paid for vary from state to state. In addition to medical services, Medicaid will pay for home and community-based services (HCBS) through the state plan as well as through Medicaid waivers that offer services as a lower-cost alternative to treatment in a medical or long-term care facility, such as a nursing home. Respite is usually paid for through one or more of the following types of waivers: research and demonstration (1115), managed care (1915b) and HCBS (1915c) waiver programs. This state’s Medicaid waivers that include respite are: 

Tennessee is in the process of transitioning its 1915(c) waivers under its 1115 waiver demonstration, TennCare II, as part of their managed care programs. Enrollment in these 1915(c) waivers is now closed for new applicants. Individuals who are currently being served under the 1915(c) programs will continue to be served under those programs, but new HCBS applicants will be transferred to TennCare II.  

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