What is a Medicaid Waiver?
A waiver is a funding mechanism which allows the state to offer community-based services as an alternative to institutional services. The term waiver specifically refers to two elements of home and community-based services: First, the state applies to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a special waiver or a special allowance from the services typically included in the State Medicaid Plan. This waiver allows the state to use Medicaid funds to provide alternative community supports for a targeted population who is at risk for institutionalization. Second, the individuals served waive the institutional services for which they are eligible in order to receive community-based supports. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) currently operates 4 waiver programs. The Community Waiver, which provides community-based supports to people with mental retardation who have high levels of need. Two In-Home support Waivers,
