OK In-Home Supports Waiver for Adults
Learn about the IHSW-A, a Medicaid waiver program in Oklahoma that provides services and support to adults with intellectual disabilities and allows them to self-direct their care.
The In-Home Supports Waiver for Adults (IHSW-A) is one of the Medicaid waiver programs in Oklahoma that provides home and community-based services to individuals with intellectual disabilities who would otherwise need care in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID). The waiver aims to promote the independence, choice, and dignity of the participants and their families by allowing them to receive services and support in their own homes or other settings of their choice.
The IHSW-A program serves the needs of people 18 and older with intellectual disabilities who meet the ICF/IID level of care. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS), Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDS), in collaboration with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), which is the state Medicaid agency. The program operates under a federal waiver authority granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which allows the state to waive specific Medicaid rules and provide services that Medicaid does not typically cover. The program has limited slots available each year, and there may be a waiting list for enrollment. The program is expected to serve up to 4,800 participants in 2023.
To qualify for the IHSW-A program, a person must:
The IHSW-A program offers various services and supports to help participants live independently in their communities. Some of the services and supports include:
One of the unique features of the IHSW-A program is that it allows participants to choose the self-direction option for some of their services. Self-direction means that participants have more control over how their services are delivered. They can recruit, hire, train, and supervise their workers and manage a budget for purchasing goods and services that support their independence. The services that can be self-directed under the IHSW-A program are:
Participants who choose the self-direction option may be able to compensate a family caregiver as their worker, as long as the family member is not legally responsible for the participant or living in the same household. However, some exceptions may apply for spouses or adult children who provide care under certain circumstances. Participants interested in hiring a family caregiver should contact their DDS case manager for more information and guidance.
If you want to learn more about your eligibility for caregiver pay under this waiver or other Medicaid waiver programs in Oklahoma, we invite you to fill out this form. We are here to help you navigate the complex and confusing world of Medicaid and caregiving.
