Finance

Medicaid To Help Beneficiaries With Home Improvements, Modifications

Published

January 30, 2023

Jerome and Brenda Lewis. who have been without insurance since October 2008 when she lost work �- and their coverage -- fill out an application for government health insurance at a Medicaid clinic being held in the basement cafeteria of Fairfield Elementary School in Fort Wayne, Indiana on February 19, 2009. For many among the growing ranks of unemployed workers in the United States, the scariest part of losing their job is losing their health insurance. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell/AFP via Getty Images)

People who are elderly or who have chronic illnesses may need to make home changes, and virtually every state offers a Medicaid program that will assist cover the expense.

Making toilets accessible was the focus of almost half of the projects, while the other half involved installing adaptive devices including wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, ceiling lifts, automatic door openers, grab bars, and other handholds to avoid falls.

Accessible Aid said Medicaid has offered a Home and Community-Based Waiver Program for the past 27 years.

Only Medicaid enrollees can use this waiver program, which offers an alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The objective is to assist Medicaid participants in maintaining their independence in their own homes.

PORTLAND, ME – JANUARY 18: Pharmacy Technician, Gloria Oates, fills out a prescription of Levoxyl at Rosemont Pharmacy January 18, 2006 in Portland, Maine. As confusion and early problems arise from the new Medicare prescription drug benefit program, the state of Maine as well as a number of other states is stepping in to guarantee that patients will get the medications they need while the glitches are worked out of the program. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Medicaid For Home Addition

Seasons said money from Social Security and Medicaid disability benefits might be used to pay for the home modifications. There are still some other alternatives and initiatives available to help.

Free labor can be offered by nonprofit groups or charities to help with house renovations (materials are not included in this offering, however).

For instance, it might be possible to build a wheelchair ramp in most cases. Free extended loan services for materials for house modifications are offered by several organizations.

A transportable wheelchair ramp may also be borrowed and kept until they moved or stopped needing it.

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How Long Does the Funding Process Take?

Before the project starts, this procedure can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months on average and even up to a full year.

Accessible Aid said this resource does not ensure that the client will obtain money, but it will introduce the OT or family to the appropriate Medicaid agency and assist them to begin the application process for home modifications.

In this article:home improvement,Medicaid