Upcoming Improvements to Iowa's Medicaid Waiver Program

Thursday, June 15 at 4:00-5:00p.m. Central Time

Changes are Coming!

Iowa’s waiver program for individuals with disabilities is changing to provide better support. We invite you to join Autism Speaks and Lisa Cook from Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services at an online event next week to learn about the state’s plans. If you register to attend, you will receive the recording and a copy of the presentation via email after the webinar.

What is the waiver program for people with disabilities?  Each state has a waiver program as part of Medicaid. The waivers are designed to allow the state to override certain Medicaid rules to assist individuals with disabilities in their home and communities. Iowa’s waiver program was recently studied to determine if it was operating efficiently and meeting the needs of the disabled community. A report was issued summarizing recommended changes to the program.

The report’s recommendations were grouped into 3 key findings:

1. Iowa HHS should implement streamlined screening and improved processes to better align services with people’s needs.
2. Iowa HHS should align community-based services (CBS), including Medicaid Home and Community-based (HCBS) waivers, to the needs of Iowans.
3. Iowa HHS should maximize access to Medicaid HCBS and other CBS supports for people with long-term service and support needs.

Carrie Malone from IA’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will join us next week to explain how Iowa’s waiver program is being redesigned to better serve Iowans. Time will be reserved to allow participants to ask questions.