Medicaid Waiver Guide – Washington

Washington State Medicaid

Washington state currently has four Medicaid waivers that can serve children, and all of them are home and community based 1915(c) waivers. All waivers are based only on child income without regard to parent income. For more information, see this general overview of Washington’s Medicaid waivers. See also the Informing Families website for services available throughout the lifespan.

For those already eligible for Medicaid, the Community First Choice option allows for additional services. Similarly, those who access Medicaid based on income or through waivers can receive home nursing care through the Medically Intensive Children’s Program.

Types of Programs

Children’s Intensive In-Home Behavioral Support

• Description from medicaid.gov: Provides respite, assistive technology, environmental adaptations, equine therapy, music therapy, nurse delegation, peer mentoring, person-centered plan facilitation, risk assessment, specialized clothing, specialized equipment and supplies, specialized habilitation, stabilization services – specialized habilitation, stabilization services – staff/family consultation services, stabilization services-crisis diversion bed, staff/family consultation services, therapeutic adaptations, transportation, and vehicle modifications for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities ages 8 to 20 years.
• Online State Information: CIIBS Brochure
• Official Federal Information
• How to Apply: Apply through DDA.

Individual and Family Services

• Description from medicaid.gov: Provides respite, OT, PT, speech/hearing/language, assistive technology, behavior support and consultation, behavioral health stabilization services-behavior support and consultation, behavioral health stabilization-specialized psychiatric services, community engagement, environmental accessibility mods, nurse delegation, peer mentoring, person-centered planning facilitation, psychosexual evaluation, skilled nursing, specialized clothing, specialized medical equipment and supplies, specialized nutrition, specialized psychiatric services, staff/family consultation and training, supported parenting services, therapeutic equipment and supplies, transportation, and vehicle mods for DD individuals, ages 3 with no maximum age.
• Online State Information: Individual and Family Services
• Official Federal Information
• How to Apply: Contact the appropriate regional office as listed on this page or apply through DDA.

Core Waiver

• Description from medicaid.gov: Provides community inclusion, individual supported employment/group supported employment, residential habilitation, respite, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, hearing, and language services, assistive technology, community engagement, community transition, environmental adaptations, extermination of bed bugs, individualized technical assistance, risk assessment, skilled nursing, specialized equipment and supplies, specialized habilitation, stabilization services – crisis diversion bed, stabilization services – staff/family consultation services, stabilization services- specialized habilitation, staff/family consultation services, supported parenting, transportation, and wellness education for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities ages 0 to no maximum age.
• Online State Information: Core Waiver
• Official Federal Information
• How to Apply: Become eligible for developmental disabilities services following these instructions, and have your case manager help you apply.

Basic Plus Waiver

• Description from medicaid.gov: Provides community inclusion, individual supported employment/group supported employment, respite, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, hearing and language services, assistive technology, community engagement, environmental adaptations, extermination of bed bugs, individualized technical assistance, risk assessment, skilled nursing, specialized equipment and supplies, specialized habilitation, stabilization services- staff/family consultation services, stabilization services-crisis diversion bed, stabilization services-specialized habilitation, staff/family consultation services, therapeutic adaptations, transportation, and wellness education for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities ages 0 to no maximum age.
• Online State Information: Basic Plus Waiver Brochure
• Official Federal Information
• How to Apply: Become eligible for developmental disabilities services following these instructions, and have your case manager help you apply.

Other online resources for Washington:

• The Developmental Disabilities Administration webpage has lots of great resources on what kinds of services the state provides.
• Washington State Department of Health has a bunch of resources you may find helpful.
• Autism Society of Washington does lots of great work with connecting passionate parents
• PAVE has lots of articles about autism and other disabilities.

Telephone Resources

DDA office by county

Ordering Goally with a Medicaid Waiver

Talk with your case manager to see if the waiver program you have will cover Goally. If so, have your case manager email us at: [email protected] to place an order on your behalf.