The MEDICAID Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program

“ABI Waiver Program” 

 

 

What is the ABI Waiver Program and what does it do? 

 

The ABI Waiver Program provides a variety of long-lasting in-home and community-based recovery services for brain-injured survivors, at no cost to them. There are many services included within the program. The two main services are one on one daily staffing services.

 

 

The first staffing service is called I.L.S.T. services or Independent Living Skills Training. This is a better quality of knowledgeable service. The staff member attends doctor and therapy sessions and then implements the prescribed therapies at home and in the community. They help to teach everyday living skills and are paid at a higher rate than all other services. The higher pay rate also helps to promote more consistent staffing coverage. It is best to start a program with the greatest amount of staffing hours being ILST services and then as a survivor becomes more independent slowly change over to companion staffing services. Ask for a lot of the best service first. Many families discover that they should have asked or pushed for more and find it very difficult to achieve more ILST hours. They also discover that if they reduce these staffing hours it is rarely given back.  

 

 

The second staffing service is called Companion Services. A companion is more of a friend that reminds and helps with the basic functions of daily living. They do not work with therapists or teach living skills. This service is paid at a much lower rate and families find it very hard to keep quality consistent staffing.

 

 

There are many other services that can be applied for within the application. We suggest applying for all services and then removing services as needed.  

 

Contact us with any questions that you may have, we can help you with the application process. 

 

The following is a list of services;

 

What services are available under the ABI waiver?

​

There are 19 services available under the ABI waiver.  Some services may not be accessed in conjunction with other services.

 

• Case management - assistance to the individual in implementing and coordinating all sources of support and services to the waiver participant.

 

• Chore Services - services needed to maintain the participant’s home in a sanitary and safe condition.

 

• Cognitive/Behavioral Programs- individualized programs to decrease severe maladaptive behaviors that would jeopardize the participant’s ability to remain in the community.

 

• Community Living Support Services- supervised living in a community residential setting that provides up to 24-hour support services.  Services may include medication management, self-care, interpersonal skills, etc.

 

• Companion Services - non-medical care, supervision, and socialization services that have a therapeutic goal as noted in the participant’s services participant’s primary mode of transportation to avoid institutionalization.

 

• Environmental Accessibility Adaptations - physical adaptations to the participant’s home to ensure the participant’s health and safety, and to promote independence.  Services may include ramp installation, bathroom modifications, doorway widening, etc.

 

• Family Training - training and counseling for individuals who live with or provide care to the waiver participant.

 

• Habitation - services provided outside the participant’s home, to assist the participant with obtaining or enhancing adaptive, socialization, and self-help skills to live successfully in the community.

 

• Pre-Vocational Services - services designed to prepare the participant for employment when the participant is not expected to be able to work, or participate in a transitional work program, within 1 year.

 

• Supported Employment Services - Paid employment with intensive support provided in a variety of settings, for participants unlikely to secure competitive employment.

 

• Homemaker Services- General household activities including meal preparation, vacuuming, etc.

 

• Home-Delivered Meals - Meals are delivered to the participant when the person responsible is unable to do so.

 

• Independent Living Skills Training - Services designed and delivered on an independent or a group basis to improve the participant’s ability to live independently in the community.  Services may include training in self-care, medication management, mobility, etc.

 

• Personal Care Assistance - Assistance with activities of daily living.  These services may be provided by a family member of the participant if they meet the training requirements established by DSS.

 

• Personal Emergency Response Systems - Electronic Devices that enable individuals at high risk for institutionalization to obtain help in an emergency.

​​

• Respite Care - To provide short-term assistance to the participant if a caretaker is absent or in need of relief.

 

• Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies  As specified in the participant’s service plan will enable the individual to perform activities of daily living.

 

• Substance Abuse Programs-Interventions to reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol or drugs by the participant.

 

• Transitional Living Services -Individualized, short-term, residential services providing up to 24-hour support provided only once in the participant’s lifetime.

 

• Transportation -Mobility services are offered after the exhaustion of all other resources.

 

• Vehicle Modification Services - Alterations made to the vehicle. 

​

​