State programs
Alabama Community Waiver Program
The Alabama Community Waiver Program (CWP) is a home and community-based Medicaid program for Alabamians with intellectual disabilities. It has five enrollment groups based on age and living situation. It aims to support community life, integrated work and existing living arrangements. It is not the program for older adults in general.
Why it matters for your family
Families sometimes confuse this program with the Elderly and Disabled Waiver. They are different. Alabama Medicaid describes the Community Waiver Program as serving people with intellectual disabilities, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health takes part in running the intellectual disabilities waivers. A senior with Alzheimer's or frailty would usually look at the Elderly and Disabled Waiver instead. A family caring for an adult child with an intellectual disability may fit the Community Waiver Program. Enrollment is limited, so there can be a wait. Ask Alabama Medicaid or the Department of Mental Health which group applies and what openings exist. Check the official pages, because rules and covered counties can change.
Source: medicaid.alabama.gov
Read more: Home care in Alabama
Related terms
- Alabama Elderly and Disabled WaiverThe Alabama Elderly and Disabled Waiver is a Medicaid program for elderly or disabled adults who would otherwise need nursing facility care.
- Home and community-based services (HCBS) waiverA home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver is a Medicaid program that pays for care at home or in the community instead of in a nursing home.
- MedicaidMedicaid is a joint federal and state health coverage program for people with limited income and resources.
- Medicaid waiver waitlistA Medicaid waiver waitlist is a list of people who qualify for a home and community-based waiver but cannot enroll yet because the state has no open slot.
- Level of care assessmentA level of care assessment is an evaluation that decides whether a person needs the level of care that a nursing facility provides.
