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Who Qualifies for Home Health Care Financial Assistance in Mississippi?
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
Mississippi residents ages 21 and over may qualify for home health care under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver program if they require nursing home-level care and meet Medicaid’s financial limits. This program is designed to help seniors and people with disabilities remain in their own homes while receiving the care they need.
Requirements for Enrollment in the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
Senior citizens may meet the requirements for enrollment in Mississippi’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program if they first enroll in Medicaid. To do so, they must meet Medicaid’s financial qualifications. For a single person, annual income is limited to $30,276 and assets to $4,000. The income requirements for a two-person household with one applicant are the same except that the nonapplicant may hold more assets. If both members of the household are applying for Medicaid, the income limit increases to $60,552 and the asset limit to $8,000. Seniors who cannot meet these requirements may use an income trust to bring their finances within the Medicaid range.
Seniors and other applicants must also prove clinical eligibility for the program by using the Long Term Services and Supports assessment tool. This should show that a nursing home level of care is required. Further, this care level must be doctor certified with certification renewed every year. A case management team of a registered nurse and a licensed social worker must assist in the assessment.
Services Available Under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
When seniors qualify for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, they have access to many services. The case management team assists in service coordination and ongoing assessment to make sure that needs are being met. Services may include home health care, including skilled nursing and in-home therapy. Skilled nurses and nursing aides can monitor health, manage chronic conditions, administer medication and provide complex medical care.
Seniors may also receive personal care services that help with daily living activities, meal preparation and housekeeping. Home-delivered meals are available, too. Seniors may participate in adult day services that are designed to get them out into the community in a supervised setting. Respite services, either at home or in a facility, may be covered as well.