UT New Choices Waiver

The New Choices Waiver in Utah is a pivotal Medicaid program that profoundly impacts healthcare, particularly for elderly and disabled individuals in Medicaid-funded nursing homes, assisted living communities, or small healthcare facilities. This program offers various vital care services and supports, enabling people to move back to their homes or the homes of their family members and caregivers. From chore services and home access modifications to home-delivered meals and non-medical transportation, the New Choices Waiver focuses on enhancing the quality of life for those in need. Moreover, it allows for participant direction of certain care services, creating opportunities for friends and relatives to play crucial caregiving roles.

Overview of the New Choices Waiver

The New Choices Waiver in Utah is a crucial Medicaid program to support elderly and disabled individuals residing in Medicaid-funded nursing homes, assisted living communities, or small healthcare facilities. Its primary goal is to empower participants to transition back to their homes or the homes of their family members and caregivers by providing comprehensive care services and support.

Participants in the New Choices Waiver can access a wide range of essential services, including chore assistance, home access modifications, home-delivered meals, non-medical transportation, adult day care, and attendant care.

Compared to the Aging Waiver, another Medicaid waiver in Utah, the New Choices Waiver offers more lenient income requirements, expanding access to its supportive services.

Through the New Choices Waiver, Utah aims to enhance the independence and well-being of elderly and disabled individuals, fostering a sense of community and family support while easing the financial burden on caregivers and promoting the overall integration of long-term care services.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the New Choices Waiver in Utah, individuals must meet specific criteria to receive the program's valuable assistance and support:

• Residency: Applicants must be residents of the state of Utah.
• Age and Health Status: Participants must be at least 18 years old and not suffering from a mental illness, as alternative forms of assistance are available for mental health care needs. If between 18 and 64 years of age, they must have a disability.
• Level of Care: Individuals must require a nursing home level of care, indicating a significant need for assistance with daily living activities and medical support.
• Length of Stay: Eligible individuals must live in a Medicaid-funded nursing home for at least 90 days or in a Medicaid-funded assisted living facility or small healthcare facility for at least 365 days.
• Income Limits: For 2023, individual participants are restricted to a gross monthly income of $2,742, equal to three times the current Federal Benefit Rate. For couples, when only one spouse applies for the waiver, the non-applicant spouse's income is not considered. Additionally, the applicant spouse may transfer a portion of their income to the non-applicant spouse, with a maximum transfer amount of $3,715.50.
• Asset Limits: Individual applicants are limited to $2,000 in countable assets. For married applicants with a non-applicant spouse, the non-applicant spouse can retain up to $148,620 (as of 2023) of the couple's joint assets and the $2,000 in resources permitted for the applicant spouse.

Meeting these eligibility requirements allows individuals to access the New Choices Waiver's comprehensive care services and supports, enabling them to transition from institutional settings to their homes or the homes of their family caregivers with dignity and independence.

Services and Supports

Services under the New Choices Waiver benefit the eligible individuals directly and provide essential assistance to family members and caregivers who play a crucial role in their care.

1. Adult Day Care: Providing supervised daytime care for individuals, offering social activities and necessary medical attention.
2. Assistive Technology: Furnishing specialized equipment and devices to enhance independence and mobility.
3. Attendant Care: Offering assistance with daily living activities such as grooming, bathing, and meal preparation.
4. Caregiver Training: Equipping family caregivers with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide adequate care.
5. Case Management: Coordinating and overseeing the delivery of services to ensure comprehensive care.
6. Chore Services: Assisting with household tasks and activities, such as cleaning and laundry.
7. Durable and Home Medical Equipment: Providing essential medical aids at home.
8. Environmental Accessibility Adaptations (Home Modifications): Making necessary home modifications for accessibility and safety.
9. Financial Management Services: Assisting with financial matters related to the waiver program.
10. Habilitation Services: Offering skill-building and development for individuals with disabilities.
11. Home Delivered Meals: Providing nutritious meals delivered to the individual's home.
12. Homemaker Services: Assisting with household chores and tasks to keep a clean and safe living environment.
13. Medication Assistance Services: Ensuring proper medication management and administration.
14. Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS): Providing emergency response devices for immediate assistance.
15. Personal Budget Assistance: Offering support in managing the participant's budget for services.
16. Respite Care (In-home and Out-of-home): Providing temporary relief for family caregivers.
17. Residential Care (Assisted Living / Memory Care): Supporting individuals who may require residential care.
18. Community Transition Services: Assisting with transitioning from institutional settings to community living.
19. Non-Medical Transportation: Providing transportation for essential activities and appointments.

Compensation for Caregivers

The New Choices Waiver allows participant direction, enabling friends and relatives, excluding spouses and legal guardians, to be hired and compensated for providing homemaker and attendant care services. This participant direction empowers individuals to choose their caregivers within their support network, ensuring they receive care from familiar and trusted individuals.

By utilizing participant direction, the New Choices Waiver recognizes the importance of family and community support while promoting a sense of independence and choice for eligible individuals. This provision is a significant step in acknowledging unpaid family caregivers' vital role in caring for their loved ones and offers financial support for their caregiving efforts.

Learn more about Medicaid participant-directed care >>

A Note from Givers

If you are a family caregiver in Utah, take a step towards understanding your eligibility for compensation by filling out this form. Your caregiving efforts deserve acknowledgment, appreciation, and support.