Respite care through Indiana’s Health & Wellness Waiver must be connected to an assessed need and included in an approved person-centered service plan. Requesting the service does not guarantee approval, but clear information about the participant’s needs and the unpaid caregiver’s responsibilities can support an informed review.
To request H&W Waiver respite care, contact the participant’s case manager and ask for the caregiver-relief need to be reviewed through the person-centered planning process.
Indiana currently uses the term case manager for the professional responsible for coordinating services under the Health & Wellness Waiver. Case managers help participants review needs, develop service plans, select qualified providers, and coordinate approved changes. (Indiana Medicaid)
Explain that you want to discuss respite because the usual unpaid caregiver needs temporary relief. Ask whether the current assessment and service plan adequately reflect the situation or whether an updated review is needed.
Families can learn more about the overall program in the H&W respite care guide.
An H&W respite care service plan should identify the participant’s actual support needs and explain why temporary replacement care is appropriate.
Home and Community-Based Services, or HCBS, must follow an individualized, person-centered plan. Federal guidance requires the process to reflect the participant’s strengths, preferences, goals, assessed needs, chosen services, and provider options.
The planning discussion may address:
Describe real needs accurately. Do not exaggerate symptoms, risks, or caregiving duties to seek additional hours.
Families still confirming whether respite may be covered can review H&W respite coverage for adults under 60.
H&W respite authorization requirements may include updated information about the participant’s functional needs, the caregiver’s responsibilities, the requested schedule, and other services already in place.
Prepare practical details such as:
Indiana HCBS billing guidance states that the case or care manager completes the service plan or Plan of Care and Cost Comparison Budget. Once approved, the resulting authorization identifies details such as the approved dates and named provider.
The case manager may determine that more assessment information is needed or that another waiver service better matches the identified need. Nana Cares cannot make that determination.
To start authorized H&W respite care, the family must select a provider approved for the exact service, confirm that the provider serves the participant’s county, and complete the provider’s intake process.
Indiana requires HCBS providers to obtain state certification, enroll with the Indiana Health Coverage Programs, and complete the applicable waiver enrollment process.
Before scheduling care, confirm:
Authorization does not guarantee that every agency can accept the case. Families can use the H&W respite provider in Indianapolis guide when comparing agencies.
Nana Cares provides non-medical caregiver respite in Indianapolis for adults with disabilities age 18 and older. Support may include companionship, supervision, routine assistance, personal care within scope, and homemaker help connected to the care plan. Nana Cares does not provide skilled nursing, therapy, medical treatment, or medication administration.
Contact Nana Cares to discuss the participant’s authorization, non-medical needs, requested schedule, service area, caregiver preferences, provider fit, and current availability.
Nana Cares can explain its intake and assessment process. It cannot determine waiver eligibility, obtain authorization for the participant, guarantee approval, or promise a start date.
Compassionate, non-medical in-home care for seniors and adults with disabilities across Central Indiana.
Nana Cares provides personal care, homemaker services, companion care, respite care, and overnight support with a warm, professional approach.