Facts About Medicaid Waiver in Baltimore and Arlington

Posted by professionalhealthcarephri on April 5th, 2021

The human body weakens with time causing discomfort and illness in elderly individuals. This is a condition of life that cannot be reversed. Unfortunately, being eligible for Medicare does not reduce the burden of medical expenses when a patient needs to use long-term home care. The expense can be staggering, with most individuals with modest income being unable to afford it. Thankfully, the Medicaid waiver in Baltimore and Arlington can come to one’s rescue here. The term remains obscure, with the majority being unaware of its significance and the pros & cons.

Sure one can hope to get the required coverage in the form of a Medicaid waiver that happens to be a scheme of the Federal Government. The program waives specific regulations that reduce healthcare costs while enhancing coverage and improving the option of specialized patient care for pregnant women and senior citizens.

The inclusion of waivers comes as a Godsend for different groups of individuals who cannot afford long-term home care. A majority o such patients had to be accommodated in a long-term health facility previously.

Medicaid Waiver: Types

There are multiple types of waivers, with each serving a particular purpose. The waivers have been formulated to comply with the Social Security Act. Some of the most popular waivers include the following sections:-

· Section 1115- Deliverance of new Medicaid care along with financing becomes possible due to this waiver. The concerned State must note that the amount spent does not exceed the Federal Government’s budget for Medicaid programs. This waiver is quite popular at it allows the States to experiment with novel approaches with the aid of extra money obtained due to the “Affordable Care Act.”

· Section 1915(c)- Also known as “Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS),” this waiver enables the State Government to provide home as well as community-based services for individuals in need of long-term health care. This comes as a boon to elderly citizens who can continue to reside in their own homes or with a family member instead of being moved into a nursing facility. This waiver also extends to support provided by a living community.

· Section 1915(b)- States do not provide long-term care directly to their citizens, however. Instead, the care is provided by an intelligent managed care delivery system. The eligible organizations need to approach Medicaid authorities and sign a contract with them for obtaining payment for the services rendered. The money is spent from the Medicaid fund of the State.

· Combination of Sections 1915 b and 1915 c- States provide the required home and community care services with the aid of managed care organizations defined in Section 1915(b) waiver.

Man is mortal; this statement cannot be disputed even by people who enjoy good health for years. An older adult who does not want to go through invasive procedures at the end of life may request to be left in peace by denying further treatment. Availing hospice care in Baltimore and Arlington for such patients helps them spend the remaining days in content but may increase the lifespan.