What is Marylands Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Waiver?
It is a way for DDA to receive matching federal dollars for funds spent by DDA on community services provided to Medicaid-eligible individuals without that person having to enter an institution. The Social Security Act gives states the option of requesting waives of certain federal requirements in order to develop community-based alternatives to placing Medicaid-eligible individuals in hospitals, nursing facilities or institutions. Maryland’s HCBS waiver for individuals with developmental disabilities supports the development of home and community-based alternatives to placing individuals in institutions operated by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) or in out-of-state institutions. Additionally, it makes home and community-based services available to individuals who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid only if they were in an institutional setting.
