State programs
Community First Choice
Community First Choice is a Medicaid state plan option that lets states offer attendant services at home or in the community. States that choose it receive a higher federal match. It requires personal attendant services and may add items such as transition costs. People must meet an institutional level of care.
Why it matters for your family
Because CFC is a state plan option, it does not use a waiver with enrollment caps. The state must offer it to all eligible people in the state. States choose a service delivery model, such as an agency model or a self-directed budget. Texas offers it through STAR+PLUS. A common mistake is to think every state uses it. Only some do. Ask your state Medicaid agency whether it offers CFC, and what it is called locally. Check the level of care rules, because they decide who qualifies. The state's own rules decide how many attendant hours a person may receive.
Source: medicaid.gov
Related terms
- Medicaid personal care servicesMedicaid personal care services are hands-on help with daily activities that Medicaid pays for.
- Participant-directed Medicaid programA participant-directed Medicaid program lets a person, or a representative, direct their own Medicaid-funded services.
- 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.
- STAR+PLUS (Texas)STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid managed care program for adults with disabilities and adults age 65 or older.
- 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.
- Medicaid eligibilityMedicaid eligibility for long-term care depends on need, income, and assets.
