HCBS Waivers
Home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers, authorized mainly under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, let state Medicaid programs pay for long-term services and supports in a person's home or community instead of an institution. Waivers fund services like personal care, respite, home modifications, and case management for people who meet an institutional level of care. For home health agencies, waivers are the main funding stream keeping long-term patients stable at home after skilled episodes end.
Definition
Home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers, authorized mainly under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, let state Medicaid programs pay for long-term services and supports in a person's home or community instead of an institution. Waivers fund services like personal care, respite, home modifications, and case management for people who meet an institutional level of care. For home health agencies, waivers are the main funding stream keeping long-term patients stable at home after skilled episodes end.
Why it matters
HCBS Waivers is part of the Payers & Programs vocabulary used across home health operations, documentation, and revenue cycle. Understanding it helps clinicians, QA leads, and administrators stay aligned on care quality and compliance.
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