Home and Community-Based Services & Waivers

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has several waiver services for people who qualify. These services are available in addition to medical and behavioral health benefits.

The plan supports these five waivers, which provide services to help you stay in your own home or live in a community setting.

Select one of the five waivers below to expand and see details.

Elderly Waiver
This program is for members who are 60 years of age or older and who might need nursing facility level care.

You can get the Elderly Waiver if:
- You are a U.S. citizen or legal alien and a resident of Illinois
- You are eligible for Medicaid
- Your service needs are cost-effective
- Your new, nursing facility level care must be safely maintained
It covers the following services:
- Adult Day Service
- Adult Day Service Transportation
- Automated Medication Dispenser
- Homemaker
- Personal Emergency Response System
If you are in the Elderly Waiver program, your Care Coordinator will visit you at your home at least one time every 3 months.
Disabilities Waiver
This program is for members who have a physical disability.

You can get the Disabilities Waiver if:
- You are a U.S. citizen or legal alien and a resident of Illinois
- You are eligible for Medicaid
- You are age 59 or younger and need nursing facility level care, including adults needing a ventilator
- Or, you're age 60 or older, began waiver services before turning 60, and choose to stay with this waiver
It covers the following services:
- Adult Day Service
- Adult Day Service Transportation
- Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
- Environmental Accessibility Adaptations – Home
- Home Delivered Meals
- Home Health Aide
- Homemaker
- Nursing (Skilled and Intermittent)
- Personal Assistant
- Personal Emergency Response System
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
- Respite
- Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
If you are in the Disabilities Waiver program, your Care Coordinator will visit you at your home at least one time every 3 months.
Brain Injury Waiver
This program is for members who have a brain injury and need a nursing facility level of care.

You can get the Brain Injury Waiver if:
- You are a U.S. citizen or legal alien and a resident of Illinois
- You are eligible for Medicaid
It covers the following services:
- Adult Day Service
- Adult Day Service Transportation
- Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
- Home Delivered Meals
- Home Health Aide
- Homemaker
- Intermittent Nursing
- Personal Assistant
- Personal Emergency Response System
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
- Respite
- Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Supported Employment
- Prevocational Services
- Day Habilitation
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
If you are in the Brain Injury Waiver, your Care Coordinator will contact you at least one time every month.
HIV or AIDS Waiver
This program is for members who have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS and would otherwise need to be in a hospital setting.

You can get the HIV/AIDS Waiver if:
- You are a U.S. citizen or legal alien and a resident of the state of Illinois
  You meet Medicaid financial eligibility criteria
It covers the following services:
- Adult Day Service
- Adult Day Service Transportation
- Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
- Home Delivered Meals
- Home Health Aide
- Homemaker
- Nursing (Skilled and Intermittent)
- Personal Assistant
- Personal Emergency Response System
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
- Respite
- Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
If you are in the HIV or AIDS Waiver, your Care Coordinator will contact you at least three times per month. At least one of those contacts will be in person.
Supportive Living Program Waiver
This program is for members who are either at least 22 years of age and have a disability or at least 65 years of age.

You can get the Supportive Living Program Waiver if:
- You are a U.S. citizen or legal alien and a resident of Illinois
- You are eligible for Medicaid
- You would otherwise need to live in a nursing facility
- You are not listed as a sex offender
- You have proof of a tuberculosis (TB) test with the Control of TB Code showing no active TB
- Your income is equal to or greater than the current maximum allowable amount of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and you agree to pay all but $90 each month toward lodging, meals and service
It covers the following services:
- Intermittent nursing services
- Meals and snacks
- Medication oversight
- Personal care
- Social/recreational programming
- Health promotion and exercise programming
- 24-hour response/security staff
- Emergency call system
- Laundry
- Housekeeping
- Maintenance
- Well-being check
- Ancillary services
Supportive living is an alternative to nursing home care. It mixes housing with personal care and supportive services.

If you are in the Supportive Living Program Waiver, your Care Coordinator will complete an assessment visit with you every 3 months.

We do not decide if you are eligible for these programs. Instead, either the Department on Aging or the Department of Rehabilitative Services will decide. To find out if you are eligible, please contact us.

For more information on covered services, check the Member Handbook on the Forms & Documents page.