Parenting is an adventure. And when you’re raising a neurodivergent kid, the journey takes on a unique path. You’ve got the courage, the love, and the determination. But sometimes, the healthcare system can feel like a maze. If you’ve ever felt lost in the labyrinth of Minnesota Medicaid, this guide is your torchlight. We’re here to illuminate the path and help you understand how Minnesota Medicaid can support your child’s unique needs.
Before we delve deeper, let’s clear the fog around Minnesota Medicaid. It’s a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for folks with limited income and resources. But what does it mean for parents of neurodivergent kids? It’s a lifeline. It’s a support system. But yes, navigating it can also be a bit of a puzzle.
You might wonder, “Is my child eligible?” Great question! Eligibility for Minnesota Medicaid is based on a variety of factors. This includes income, family size, and, of course, your child’s health needs. Neurodivergent kids often qualify due to their unique health and developmental needs. After all, the program is designed to ensure these kids have access to the care they need to thrive.
Read more: Autism Centers in Minnesota | Parent Guide
Did you know Minnesota Medicaid offers several waivers that can provide additional support for neurodivergent kids? These waivers can cover services like therapy, respite care, and adaptive equipment. It’s like having an extra set of hands to help your child reach their full potential.
Applying for a waiver involves a detailed process. You’ll need to provide documentation of your child’s diagnosis and needs and your family’s financial information. But don’t sweat it. Yes, it’s detailed, but it’s doable. And the benefits for your child can be significant.
| Goally Waiver Scorecard | Score (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Website clarity and ease of navigation | 2 |
| Access and requirements of qualification | 3 |
| Healthcare coverage | 3 |
While you’re busy mastering the Minnesota Medicaid system, remember you’ve got a friend in Goally. Our learning tablets and apps are designed to help kids with thinking and learning differences develop skills and independence. It’s like having a personal assistant for your child’s development and daily routine.
How can Goally help, you ask? In many ways! Our apps can help with task management, routine building, and skill development. Our learning tablet provides a safe and engaging platform for learning and growth. It’s like having a personal tutor and a playmate all rolled into one!
Give your kid an independent future. Goally has 100+ video classes teaching life skills like “How to Choose a Restaurant,” “How to Interrupt Politely,” and “How to Get Ready for School.”
Goally takes kids on an adventure that includes interactive practice and checkpoints along the way! No web browsers, YouTube, or social media.
Navigating Minnesota Medicaid can feel like a marathon. But remember, every marathoner has a support crew. And you’ve got us, Goally, cheering you on every step of the way. With the right information and resources, you can ensure your neurodivergent kid can access the support they need.
Yes, parenting a neurodivergent kid has its challenges. But it’s also filled with joy, growth, and triumph. With support from Minnesota Medicaid and tools like Goally, you’re well-equipped to guide your child on their unique path. Here’s to every small victory and every giant leap forward. You’ve got this!
Circumstances/Diagnosis: Children and adults of all ages with either an intellectual and/or developmental disability (this includes autism). The state requires that individuals need an intermediate care facility level of care to qualify. This just means that the individual is unable to get through their day without a lot of supervision.
Income: Income eligibility is only based on the child’s income and not the parents income. This means that your child is financially eligible for the waiver if they don’t have an income.
This waiver service provides assistive technology, adult day service, caregiver living expenses, case management, day training and habilitation, homemaker, prevocational services, respite, supported employment, extended personal care assistance services, 24- hour emergency assistance, adult day service bath, chore, consumer directed community supports (CDCS): environmental modifications and provisions, CDCS: personal assistance, CDCS: self-direction support activities, CDCS: treatment and training, crisis respite, employment development services, employment exploration services, employment support services, environmental accessibility adaptations, family training and counseling, home delivered meals, housing access coordination, night supervision services, personal support services, positive support services, residential habilitation, specialist services, specialized equipment and supplies, transitional services, transportation.
To start the process just call your local county’s Human Services office.
You can access some additional information with this informational PDF
Minnesota has an ok waiver program. Their waiver services accommodate around 22,000 people with disabilities, which is larger than average, but they have a waitlist of around 200-300 applicants at most points. This means even after going through the eligibility process you may need to wait a few months before you can start to receive services. Their website doesn’t provide too much information but has good contact information for every county in the state. When we called them we just needed to leave some information and then got calls back in the next 24 hours with specialists who were super helpful.
This post was originally published on 02/16/2021. It was updated on 09/18/2023.
