We get asked this question quite a bit and it’s not a surprise. The state of Alaska has published a brochure which can be found by clicking here: Read that if you would and it may answer some of your questions. As it has been explained to me (your trusty website author) the term “Waiver” is a legal term, in this case it applies to funds provided to states by the federal government which ‘waives’ certain requirements for the spending of Medicaid monies. There’s a great deal more to it than that but once it’s distilled to the essentials that’s the skinny.
The first stop for people wanting to apply for Medicaid to obtain supports due to a disability is generally the Aging and Disability Resource Center or ADRC. The ADRC will administer a telephone screening which will provide you with direction(s) for support and assistance including in many cases Medicaid Waiver. This process is only the beginning step and no guarantee that one will qualify for Waiver services. Once this is completed, they will direct you to services for which you may apply and obtain some assistance.
An elder attempting to qualify for Medicaid can be an involved process, particularly if there are sizeable assets in the family. Don’t start writing checks to your grandkids yet, Alaska has a 5-year lookback period. There are also certain assets (like one’s home) that can be excluded under some circumstances. Generally speaking, we encourage persons attempting to qualify for Long Term Care Medicaid to secure the services of an attorney who specializes in elder law. We can make referrals if helpful. Unfortunately, the process beyond this point gets even more complicated and after you walk out of the attorney’s office is when you will need the services of a care coordinator.
Finding a care coordinator needn’t be difficult. Abacus Care Coordination is here to help you, we’ve been in business since 2015 and while we may not have all the answers, we’ve got most of them and for those situations outside our experience we know who to call and what to do. Additionally, we are the largest care coordination agency in the state, having more than a dozen certified care coordinators who together have several hundred years of combined experience. Better yet, keep your check book closed, we don’t want your money, we’re happy to help you. Advice is free and you can get all you need from the most experienced staff in the state. When you’re ready, just reach out to us, we’ve got what you need.
Your care coordinator will prepare and submit your waiver application but bear in mind that this takes some time. It’s not as simple as fill out a couple of forms and fax em off into the ether. We’ll collect your medical records, complete our assessment, determine what your needs are and begin looking for ways to get those needs met and fill out a dozen pages of application and attach everything for submittal to the state. After your application has been rec’d there will be an assessment in which a state nurse will pay you a visit and will determine what your needs are. We’re coming to the party too! Once this is done then we wait, typically a couple of weeks. Assuming the state determines that you qualify the state issues what’s called a Level of Care (LOC). This means you’ve got a waiver, yes, but there’s still more to do. Your care coordinator will refer you to some service provider agencies for you to interview, we suggest you ask all the ‘difficult’ questions you can think of. If you’re considering an assisted living home (some people say “let me stop you right there, I’m not going into an assisted living home”) and that’s fine, there’s more to services than an assisted living home. But for many people that’s the goal, and let me tell you… Assisted living homes, especially in Alaska, are not the stereotypical ‘old folks’ home’. Some of them have a cruise ship feel, others look like your place. One of the larger assisted living homes in the valley even has a “Bar” complete with a pool table.
Your care coordinator will prepare your service plan, which will detail the services you will receive. Your service plan is uniquely about you, one of a kind and will make it clear to anyone involved that you won’t eat broccoli no matter what they do to it. On many service plans you’ll see transportation (in the event you want to go to the movies, or out to dinner or….) or an adult day center, or services in your home or… if you can think it we’ll find a way. Let’s suppose that you’re living with family and your son and his spouse are going on a second honeymoon for ten days. It might be nice if someone could stay with you in your home while they’re in the Bahamas or off to Europe. We can arrange for your grandson (if over 18) or granddaughter to be paid to be a respite provider for you. You tell us what you want to do, and we’ll get it moving. Maybe you moved into an assisted living home and it’s not the right “fit”. No problem, there are several hundred to choose from, moving while stressful isn’t going to be that much of a challenge that you need to stay there.
We’re going to make sure you’re happy, safe and fulfilled. If you have questions, pick up the phone and call or write we’d love to visit with you, anytime!