The Structured Family Caregiving Waiver is a Medicaid program that pays family caregivers for providing care to their loved ones who have Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder and are at risk of institutionalization. The waiver aims to prevent or delay nursing home placement and promote home and community-based care. The waiver can serve individuals 21 or older and meet specific eligibility criteria. The waiver has an annual service cost limit of $40,000 per participant.
The Structured Family Caregiving Waiver is one of the four waivers administered by the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD). The waiver began in July 2003 and serves over 1,000 individuals as of 2023. The waiver is partly funded by federal dollars via the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The purpose of the waiver is to provide an alternative to institutional care for adults with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder who are at risk of needing intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability (ICF/ID) services if waiver services are not provided. The waiver allows participants to receive service coordination and authorization for medically necessary services in their own homes or other community settings that are less restrictive and more integrated than institutional settings. The waiver also gives participants more choice and control over their services and supports through self-direction options.
The target population of the waiver is adults with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder who have a place to live in the community, usually with their families. Alzheimer's disease, a related condition, is a progressive brain degenerative disease affecting memory, cognition, behavior, and personality. Examples of associated disorders include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, etc.
To be eligible for the Structured Family Caregiving Waiver, an individual must meet the following requirements:
The Structured Family Caregiving Waiver offers two main types of services and supports: service coordination and structured family caregiving.
Service coordination is a service that helps participants access and coordinate their medically necessary services and supports. Service coordinators are assigned by the Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS). They are responsible for conducting assessments, developing ISPs, authorizing services, monitoring service delivery, providing information and referral, etc.
Structured family caregiving is a service that pays family caregivers for providing care to their loved ones who are enrolled in the waiver. The participants select family caregivers who must live in the same household. Family caregivers must also meet specific requirements, such as being at least 18 years old, passing background checks, completing training, etc.
Structured family caregiving includes a caregiver stipend, care management support, and respite care.
A caregiver stipend is a monthly payment that compensates family caregivers for caring for their loved ones. The level of care determines the participant's payment amount and ranges from $900 to $1,800 per month.
Care management support is a service that provides ongoing support and guidance to family caregivers and participants. A contracted agency assigns care managers responsible for conducting home visits, developing care plans, providing education and training, facilitating communication, resolving issues, etc.
Respite care provides temporary relief to caregivers who need a break from their duties. Respite care can be provided in the participant's home or another setting, such as an adult day care center or a residential facility. Respite care can be given for up to 14 days per year.
One of the benefits of the Structured Family Caregiving Waiver is that it directly compensates family caregivers for providing care to their loved ones who live with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. Family caregivers can receive a monthly stipend ranging from $900 to $1,800, depending on the level of care the participant needs. Family caregivers can also receive care management support and respite care as part of the waiver program.
Family caregivers who are interested in receiving compensation for their caregiving work must meet the following requirements:
Family caregivers who receive compensation for their caregiving work must also comply with the rules and regulations of the waiver program, such as reporting changes, incidents, complaints, etc. They must also respect the participant's rights and preferences and provide quality care.
If you are a family caregiver of an adult with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder who lives in Missouri, you may be eligible for this waiver program that provides valuable services and supports, including compensation for your caregiving work. To find out if you qualify, please fill out this form, and we will contact you soon.
