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Can Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in North Dakota?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Family members can get paid to care for a senior loved one under some circumstances in North Dakota, though it is not the default arrangement offered under the Medicaid waiver. Seniors who wish to hire a family member as a caregiver should ask a Medicaid worker about self-direction of funds as an option.
What Program Pays for In-Home Care in North Dakota?
North Dakota operates three waiver programs to support seniors at home, including Freedom of choice: Section 1915(b), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Section 1915(c), and Demonstration: Section 1115 waivers. HCBS 1915(c) is the standard program for seniors enrolled in Medicaid who prefer to remain in their homes rather than move into assisted living or nursing home communities. This waiver pays registered agencies to cover the cost of employee caregivers.
The Section 1915(b) Freedom of Choice waiver, which must be specifically requested as an alternative, is a beneficiary-directed program that permits enrollees to choose their own caregiver, including close family members and friends. Section 1115 waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis for more unique care arrangements specifically approved by the HCBS program.
Can Family Members Get Paid as Caregivers?
Family members can work as caregivers only under a Freedom of Choice waiver, except in the less-common scenario where the senior has a compatible Section 1115 program set up for in-home care. To get qualified as a Freedom of Choice caregiver, the family member must attend an in-person orientation and meet HCBS caregiver qualifications, including a current CPR card and clean criminal background check.