Medicaid Waiver Guide – Alabama

What is Alabama Medicaid?

Alabama currently has five waivers that are open to children. This includes a new Community Care Waiver for people with intellectual disabilities in certain counties. All programs are HCBS 1915(c) Medicaid waivers, though one is concurrent with an 1115 demonstration program. Three of these programs waive parental income; we do not know the status of the others. View Alabama’s HCBS waiver page, which includes a chart comparing waivers.

Community Waiver Program

Description from medicaid.gov: Provides breaks and opportunities (respite), community-based residential services, integrated employment, path services, personal assistance – home, support coordination, adult family home, assistive technology and adaptive aids, co-worker supports, community integration connections and skills training, community transportation, family empowerment and systems navigation counseling, financial literacy and work incentives benefits counseling, housing counseling services, housing start-up assistance, independent living skills training, individual directed goods and services, minor home modifications, natural support or caregiver education and training, occupational therapy, peer specialist services, personal assistance-community, physical therapy, positive behavior supports, remote supports, skilled nursing, speech and language therapy, supported employment individual, supported employment small group, and supported living services for individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 3 – no max age.
Online State Information: Community Waiver Program or this information from the Department of Mental Health.
Official Federal Information: 1915(c) and 1115
How to Apply: Contact the Intellectual Disabilities Call Center of the Alabama Department of Mental Health at 1-800-361-4491.
Waiting List: There are 1549 people with intellectual disabilities on Alabama’s waiting list.

Home and Community Based Waiver for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Description from medicaid.gov: Provides day habilitation, employment support, personal care, prevocational services, residential habilitation, respite, adult companion services, assistive technology services, benefits and career counseling, community experience, community specialist, crisis intervention, environmental accessibility adaptations, housing stabilization service, individual directed goods and services, occupational therapy, personal emergency response system, physical therapy, positive behavior support, skilled nursing, specialized medical supplies, speech and language therapy, supported employment transportation, supported living service for individuals with ID, ages 3 – no max age.
Online State Information: Intellectual Disabilities Waiver
Official Federal Information
How to Apply: Contact the Intellectual Disabilities Call Center of the Alabama Department of Mental Health at 1-800-361-4491.
Waiting List: There are 1549 people with intellectual disabilities on Alabama’s waiting list.

HCBS Living at Home Waiver for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Description from medicaid.gov: Provides day habilitation, employment support, personal care, prevocational services, respite, adult companion services, assistance in community integration, assistive technology services, benefits and career counseling, community experience, crisis intervention, environmental accessibility adaptations, housing stabilization service, individual directed goods and services, occupational therapy, personal emergency response system, physical therapy, positive behavior support, remote supports, skilled nursing, specialized medical supplies, speech and language therapy, and supported employment transportation for individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 3 to no max age.
Online State Information: Living at Home Waiver
Official Federal Information
How to Apply: Contact the Intellectual Disabilities Call Center of the Alabama Department of Mental Health at 1-800-361-4491.
Waiting List: There are 1549 people with intellectual disabilities on Alabama’s waiting list.

Alabama Community Transition Waiver

Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, case management, homemaker, personal care, respite (skilled and unskilled), adult companion service, assistive technology, home delivered meals, home modifications, medical supplies, personal assistant service, personal emergency response systems-installation/monthly fee, skilled nursing, transitional assistance services for aged individuals, 65 to no max age, and disabled individuals (physical and other), 0 to no max age.
Online State Information: Act Waiver
Official Federal Information
How to Apply: Contact an Aging and Disability Resource Center. Call 877-425-2243 or 800-243-5463 or find your local center here.
Waiting List: Alabama does not list any individuals with physical or medical disabilities on its waiting list, but does have a waiting list of 1549 individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Home and Community Based Waiver for the Elderly and Disabled

Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, case management, homemaker, personal care, skilled respite, companion service, home delivered meals, and unskilled respite for aged individuals 65+, and individuals with physical or other disabilities of all ages.
Online State Information: Elderly and Disabled Waiver
Official Federal Information
How to Apply: Contact an Aging and Disability Resource Center. Call 877-425-2243 or 800-243-5463 or find your local center here.
Waiting List: Alabama does not list any individuals with physical or medical disabilities on its waiting list, but does have a waiting list of 1549 individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Read more: Does My Child Qualify for Medicaid?

Alabama Medicaid is more than just a healthcare program—it’s a support system for parents of neurodivergent kids. Here’s how it works:

Comprehensive Care: Alabama Medicaid covers a wide range of services crucial for kids with thinking and learning differences. This includes doctor visits, hospital care, mental health services, and prescription drugs.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers: These waivers allow children with special needs to receive services in their homes or communities rather than institutions. These services can include personal care, respite care, and habilitation services.

Alabama Medicaid also offers the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program. This program ensures that children under 21 receive appropriate preventive, dental, mental health, developmental, and specialty services. In short, Alabama Medicaid is a godsend for parents of neurodivergent kids.

Online Resources

Telephone Resources

Family Voices of Alabama Number: (877)-771-3862
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program Number: (205)-348-4928
Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities Number: (334) 242-3973

Ordering Goally with a Medicaid Waiver

If you already have been approved for a waiver program, please have your case manager reach out to: [email protected] to place your order on your behalf.

Who can apply?

Circumstance/Diagnosis: Anyone with an IQ score below 70, who is over the age of 3 and requires an intermediate amount of care can apply. Alabama requires applicants to be considered to be “medically retarded” (an outdated term the Goally team doesn’t support using) and an IQ score below 70 is their benchmark.
Income: The income limit is $2,349 per month, however, only child income is considered… so unless your child is making money, you should qualify for this.

What do I get?

If you qualify for this program your coverage will include multiple services. employment support and transportation, personal care, habilitation, adult companion, career counseling, community experience, community specialist services, crisis intervention, housing stabilization, skilled nursing, specialized medical equipment, specialized medical supplies, and speech/language therapy.

How to apply?

There is no ability to apply online. Visit the Intellectual Disabilities Call Center of the Alabama Department of Mental Health follow steps listed and call 1-800-361-4491. Working with your county regional community center could also be helpful. A detailed list of each county’s office number can be found on this Brochure.

This post was originally published on 02/16/2021. It was updated on 3/13/2025.