By skyforbes Hi everyone, I need some Medicaid help.
For background: I’m 19 and living in a dorm room with spastic quadriplegic CP, which I’ve had since birth. I require 100+ hours of caregiving per week — about 15 hours a day, 7 days a week. I attend school in Indiana but I’m originally from New Jersey.
My caregivers assist me with everything from toileting and bathing to getting dressed in the morning. My care is currently provided through a home health care agency, and I live in my college’s dorms. From my understanding, I need the Health & Wellness Waiver. I’m in the process of applying but was told there’s a two-year waitlist.
Leaving college is not an option. Prior to college, I never needed aides because my parents provided all of my caregiving. I was initially on regular Medicaid when I was first born, but I eventually got kicked off.
I’ve considered privately hiring my current caregivers, which would reduce my costs by about 40%, but I can’t because if I hire them outside the agency, both the caregivers and I risk being sued by the agency.
What can I possibly do here? Reaching out to my school isn’t an option since it’s extremely small.