What is the MassHealth frail elder waiver?

On Behalf of | Jul 11, 2024 | MassHealth

Many elderly Massachusetts residents recognize that they can no longer safely live on their own but are not ready to move to a nursing home. If you or a loved one are in this situation, MassHealth offers an option you may not know about called the frail elder waiver.

The frail elder waiver is specifically designed for individuals who need help with daily activities but want to keep living in their own home and be a part of their community.

To qualify for the frail elder waiver, you must first qualify for MassHealth community-based services. This means your assets must fall below a certain limit.

With the cost of long-term care, even if you have saved and planned for retirement, you may not have enough assets to pay for long-term care. If your assets are below the limit to qualify for MassHealth, you could be eligible for a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver.

Frail elder waiver requirements

The frail elder waiver is a specific type of HCBS waiver. You must be over the age of 60 to qualify for the waiver. If you are under the age of 65, you must have a disability as well.

You must show that you can remain in the community safely with help from the frail elder waiver and meet special financial requirements and clinical requirements for eligibility.

There are many benefits to the frail elder waiver. One of the most obvious is the ability to stay in your own home and not go into a nursing home facility.

You may prefer to keep caring for yourself in the comfort of your own home as long as you can. However, there might come a time when you recognize that you could use some assistance with daily life.

Services provided by the frail elder waiver

The frail elder waiver allows someone to come to your home to help you with a wide variety of tasks. They can do basic household chores, deliver groceries and medication, provide transportation and provide you with companionship and support.

The waiver could also provide you with skilled nursing services and education on dementia or Alzheimer’s. Assistance with setting up a medication dispensing system or other types of services may also be available.

Once you apply for and are approved for a frail elder waiver, your case manager sets up a service plan for you. The plan lists your goals and the support and services you will receive to allow you to stay in your home and the community.

Knowing if you qualify and meeting the requirements can be complex and cause you to feel overwhelmed. This can be detrimental during a time when you should be focusing on your health and daily needs.

We are here to meet your needs

It helps to have someone who can guide you through the process. The frail elder waiver is the right solution for many elderly Massachusetts residents who value their independence and want to continue to live the best life possible.