In Maryland, the Medicaid system is officially referred to as Medical Assistance (MA). MA provides financial assistance, as well as supportive services and necessary medical equipment and prescription medications to low-income residents throughout Maryland. In addition to seniors, MA’s various programs serve ill and disabled individuals and provides temporary assistance to those who are injured or pregnant when required.
There are several programs and waivers that operate as a part of MA and provide seniors with financial and medical support while living in a licensed assisted living facility or nursing home or while receiving home-based care. While waiver eligibility requirements vary slightly, all programs and waivers require that seniors do not have an income that exceeds $2,250 per month, and they may not have assets that are valued at more than $2,500, with the exception of their home and household belongings, which may not exceed a value of $572,000.
To learn more about any of the state’s Medicaid programs or waivers or to apply, seniors can contact (844) 627-5465.
Community Personal Assistance Services
MA covers the cost of nursing home care and assisted living for low-income seniors under its Community Personal Assistance Services program. In order to receive benefits under this program, seniors must require daily caregiver assistance with at least one activity of daily living. Participants of this program are regularly monitored by a registered nurse.
Community First Choice Program
Another program that operates as a subsection of MA is the Community First Choice Program, which provides seniors with access to personal assistance services, meals and nonemergency transportation. The program requires that seniors submit to a full medical assessment and be determined to need an institutional level of care.
Community Options Waiver
The Community Options Waiver is available to seniors who reside in an approved nursing or assisted living facility exclusively and provides services such as medical day care, personal assistance, nursing care and supports planning. Applicants are required to submit to a full medical assessment and be determined to require a nursing level of care.
Increased Community Services Waiver
The Increased Community Services Waiver was created to allow seniors who reside in a nursing home to move back into the community or into an assisted living facility by providing nursing support and other tools that allow the senior to live more independently. In order to be eligible for this program, seniors must be residing in a nursing home and be able to safely move back into a community while receiving a lower level of care.