As a parent, you know that raising a neurodivergent child is a unique journey filled with love, joy, and, yes, challenges. But don’t fret! Resources are available to help; one of the most important is New Mexico Medicaid. This guide is your roadmap to understanding and navigating this essential program, helping you secure the best care for your child.
Before we dive deeper, let’s get the basics down. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program designed to provide health coverage for people with limited income. But what does that mean for you? In New Mexico, Medicaid, or Centennial Care, offers various services and supports for eligible individuals, including neurodivergent kids. It’s like having a trusty sidekick, like Goally, to help you navigate the healthcare world.
So, how does it work? Well, it’s all about meeting certain criteria. Let’s break it down.
First, you must know if your child is eligible. The criteria are based on income, age, disability status, and other factors. Sounds complicated? Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Once you’ve determined eligibility, it’s time to apply. Think of it as a quest, and you’re on a mission to secure the best care for your child. But don’t worry, you’ve got options.
Read more: Does My Child Qualify for Medicaid?
Did you know that New Mexico offers several Medicaid waivers that can provide additional support for neurodivergent kids? These waivers can cover respite care, personal care services, and home modifications. It’s like an extra layer of support, helping your child thrive in their home and community, much like Goally’s learning tablet.
These waivers are about healthcare and quality of life. They aim to help kids with special needs live in their homes and communities like any other kid. It’s about inclusivity and equality, and that’s something we can all get behind.
| Goally Waiver Scorecard | Score |
|---|---|
| Website clarity and ease of navigation | 2/5 |
| Access and requirements of qualification | 0/5 |
| Healthcare coverage | 3/5 |
Let’s be honest: navigating the Medicaid system can feel like a maze. But with the right tools and information, you can conquer it. Here are some tips to help you along the way.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Numerous resources and support groups are available to help you navigate the Medicaid system in New Mexico. For example, the Parents Reaching Out organization offers workshops and resources to help parents understand Medicaid and advocate for their kids. It’s like having a supportive community right at your fingertips.
Understanding and navigating New Mexico Medicaid can be complex. But with the right information and support, you can secure the best care for your neurodivergent child. And remember, just like Goally is there to support your child’s learning journey, you have support in your journey, too. You’re doing an incredible job and making a significant difference in your child’s life.
Circumstances/Diagnosis: Any kid or adult who has an either an intellectual and/or developmental disability (this includes autism). There are no age restrictions on this waiver and eligible applicants require an intermediate care facility level of care. There is a technical definition for intermediate care facility level of care, but it essentially just means that the child is unable to get through the day without a lot of supervision. You can find out more about eligibility here.
Income: Eligibility is based solely on the child’s income so if they are not making any money they are eligible for the waiver.
Provides case management, community integrated employment, customized community supports, living supports, respite, nutritional counseling, occupational therapy for adults, physical therapy for adults, speech and language therapy for adults, supplemental dental care, adult nursing, assistive technology, behavioral support consultation, crisis support, customized in-home supports, environmental modifications, independent living transition service, intense medical living supports, non-medical transportation, personal support technology/on-site response service, preliminary risk screening and consultation related to inappropriate sexual behavior, socialization and sexuality education
The first step in the process is to complete the HCBS Registration Form.
Follow the rest of the step by step instructions on this webpage
New Mexico’s waitlist typically lasts 8-10 years. This is totally unacceptable and needs to be shortened especially because earlier intervention produces lifelong improvements for children with autism. There are some options for services while you are on the waitlist. You can apply for the Family Supports and Reimbursement program to get nearly $1,500 in funds to pay for special services such as assistive technology devices like Goally. You can also receive $2,500 from the Autism Flexible Services Program.
This post was originally published on 02/16/2021. It was updated on 09/18/2023.
