Paid Caregiving for a Loved One Through Medicaid
Many family members provide caregiving for their loved ones who need support to remain in their homes. If your loved one is eligible for a program through Medicaid, you may be able to be paid for the care you’re providing.
Self-directed services offer individuals who want to stay in their homes and communities the ability to receive care from a family member, friend or other person they trust. They also are able to set the schedule for when they receive care. In Minnesota, Financial Management Service (FMS) providers, such as PICS (Partners in Community Supports), are required to help with the details of hiring and staffing paid caregivers.
Medicaid Programs in Minnesota
Minnesota’s Medicaid program is Medical Assistance (MA). MA is the largest health care program in Minnesota. Health plans through MA serve children and families, pregnant women, adults, older adults and people who are blind or have a disability.
Services covered by MA include doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, equipment and supplies, and home care, such as paid caregivers.
To receive paid caregiving, individuals on MA must be eligible for home and community-based services through a waiver program. These waiver programs include:
- Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
- Community Alternative Care (CAC) Waiver
- Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver
- Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
- Developmental Disabilities (DD Waiver)
- Elderly Waiver (EW)
To determine if you are eligible for MA and get help applying, contact your county or tribal office, Disability Hub MN, Senior LinkAge Line or a navigator from MNSure.
Read more about Minnesota’s Medical Assistance program.
How to Get Started with PICS
Once MA and program eligibility are determined, a Support Plan for care services will be created. Contact your county or tribal office for assistance.
Self-directed service program options in Minnesota include:
- Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
- Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Choice
- Consumer Support Grant (CSG)
If you choose one of Minnesota’s self-directed care programs, your case manager or care coordinator provides you a list of Financial Management Services (FMS) from which to choose. PICS has been operating in Minnesota since 1999, helping people manage the financial aspects of self-directed services. We offer support for participants of the CDCS and CSG programs.
Call or email your questions to our Enrollment Team at 651.967.5060 or enrollment@picsmn.org. We’re here to help you get started.