Clarification of #Respite Services under Family Supports/CIH #Waivers

Family Voices has been receiving calls from families asking if it is allowable for them to be in the home when respite services are being provided. We have confirmed with the state that the family can be in the home. If a provider is telling you that you can not be there during respite, feel free to contact us and we will try to help: 317 944 8982 info@fvindiana.org

You always have the right to choose a different provider as well.

Here is information about respite from the DDRS waiver manual:

Respite Service Definition

Respite Care services means services provided to participants unable to care for themselves  that are furnished on a short-term basis in order to provide temporary relief to those unpaid persons normally providing care. Respite Care can be provided in the participant’s home or place of residence, in the respite caregiver’s home, in a camp setting, in a DDRS approved day habilitation facility, or in a non-private residential setting (such as a respite home). 

Reimbursable Activities

Assistance with toileting and feeding 

Assistance with daily living skills, including assistance with accessing the community and 

community activities 

Assistance with grooming and personal hygiene 

Meal preparation, serving and cleanup 

Administration of medications 

Supervision 

Individual services 

Group services (Unit rate divided by number of participants served)

Activities Not Allowed

Reimbursement for room and board 

Services provided to an participant living in a licensed facility-based setting 

The cost of registration fees or the cost of recreational activities (for example, camp) 

When the service of Structured Family Caregiving is being furnished to the participant 

Other family members (such as siblings of the participant) may not receive care or supervision from the provider while Respite care is being provided/billed for the waiver participant(s)

Respite care shall not be used as day/child care

Respite is not intended to be provided on a continuous, long-term basis as part of daily services that would enable the unpaid caregiver to go to work or to attend school 

Respite care shall not be used to provide service to a participant while the participant is attending school

Respite care may not be used to replace skilled nursing services that should be provided under the Medicaid State Plan

Respite care must not duplicate any other service being provided under the participant’s Plan of Care/Cost Comparison Budget (CCB) 

Services furnished to a minor by a parent(s), step-parent(s), or legal guardian

Services furnished to a participant by the participant’s spouse