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Rhode Island Medicaid Waiver Guide

Parenting a neurodivergent child can sometimes feel like navigating a labyrinth. Between managing medical, educational, and therapeutic needs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But Rhode Island Medicaid is a beacon of hope on the horizon. This robust program offers financial assistance for various crucial services, making life easier for parents like you. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of this invaluable resource and how it can help your family flourish.

What Exactly is Rhode Island Medicaid?

Rhode Island Medicaid, in simple terms, is a partnership program between the state and federal government. It’s to provide health coverage for individuals with low income. This includes low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. But, most notably for you, it’s a lifeline that can make a world of difference for neurodivergent kids.

you might wonder, “How does this apply to my child?” Rhode Island Medicaid can help cover the costs of various services your child may need. From medical care to therapeutic support, this program can be a game-changer for families with neurodivergent kids like yours.

Who’s Eligible?

Eligibility for Rhode Island Medicaid is determined by several factors. These include income, family size, and the nature of your child’s needs. The program aims to assist those who need it most, so don’t let the application process intimidate you. After all, the potential benefits for your child are well worth the effort.

For instance, if you use a Goally device to help manage your child’s routines and tasks, Rhode Island Medicaid could cover some of the associated costs. It’s all about making life easier for you and your child.

rhode island medicaid.two parents meet with a medicaid specialist.
Read more: Benefits for Parents Caring for a Disabled Child

How Rhode Island Medicaid Supports Neurodivergent Kids

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How can Rhode Island Medicaid support your neurodivergent child? The program covers various services, from medical care to therapeutic support. Here are a few key areas where it can make a significant impact:

ServiceDescription
Medical CareRoutine check-ups, hospital visits, and necessary medications are all covered. This means your child’s physical health is well catered for, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.
Therapeutic SupportVarious therapies, such as occupational, speech, and physical therapy, are included. These can be instrumental in helping your child develop crucial skills and navigate their world with greater ease.
Behavioral Health ServicesFor kids with behavioral challenges, Rhode Island Medicaid provides access to various interventions. This includes counseling and other behavioral health services, which can be invaluable in managing and improving behavioral issues.

With Rhode Island Medicaid, you have a strong ally in your corner. The program can help ensure your child gets the necessary care without breaking the bank. It’s all about empowering your child to reach their full potential while also easing the financial burden on you.

Other online resources for Rhode Island:

Telephone Resources

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Applying for Rhode Island Medicaid

Applying for Rhode Island Medicaid may seem daunting, but don’t let that deter you. The process is straightforward, and plenty of resources are available to guide you. Remember, the benefits for your child far outweigh the time and effort required to apply.

Moreover, Rhode Island Medicaid could potentially cover some of the associated costs if you’re using Goally to help manage your child’s routines and tasks. It’s all about making life easier for you and your child.

Goally is a valuable resource for clinicians who are looking for ways to support children with speech and language problems.

  • Individualized Instruction. Goally can be easily customized to meet the specific needs of each child supporting the skills that they need most, at each child’s own pace.
  • Increased Engagement. Goally is a fun and interactive tool that can help children stay engaged while learning.
  • Improved Communication. Goally helps children learn to effectively communicate wants and needs, and allows children to participate in the world around them.
  • Bonus: Goally’s Core Word Lessons teaches kids their first 50 words through video modeling and interactive practice.

Goally’s distraction-free kid’s tablet can be used as a therapy tool to help teach executive functionlanguage, emotional regulation, finger dexterity skills, and more!

Wrapping Up

To sum up, Rhode Island Medicaid is a powerful tool for parents of neurodivergent kids. It provides financial support for various services, easing the burden on families and ensuring kids with thinking and learning differences get the care they need. While the application process may seem daunting, the potential benefits for your child make it well worth the effort. So, why not explore what Rhode Island Medicaid can do for your family? Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. With resources like Rhode Island Medicaid and tools like Goally, you have a strong support system to help your child thrive.

Who Can Apply?

Circumstances/Diagnosis: Any child under 19 who is diagnosed with any type of disability (this includes autism). The state requires that individuals need at least an intermediate care facility level of care to qualify. This has a technical definition but essentially 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.

What do I get?

The way Katie Beckett Programs work is that they allow families with higher incomes to receive medicaid benefits for their child because eligibility is based on the child income. This means that you will be able to receive dental care, emergency and non-emergency transportation, inpatient and outpatient treatment, medical equipment, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, vision.

How do I apply?

Complete this application and mail it to DHS/State of Rhode Island, P.O. Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02920-8787.
You can also talk to a specialist on Katie Beckett Waivers by calling this number: (401) 462-0633.

What does the Goally Team Think?

Rhode Island has a simple waiver program designed to consolidate the many waivers they had before switching to the Rhode Island Comprehensive Demonstration Waiver. The type of waiver plan is the most efficient way to deliver services: getting basic medicaid coverage is simple, specialized services are available to all medicaid recipients if needed, and there is no waitlist. Once your child begins to age out of the Katie Beckett program, your case manager will help transition them to the appropriate adult healthcare plan.

This post was originally published on 02/16/2021. It was updated on 09/15/2023.