The Keyzer family. From left, June, Ishmael, Anna Keyzer, Simon and Jon Keyzer. Anna Keyzer is a paid caregiver for her 21-year-old son, Simon, under a Medicaid waived — the Aged and Disabled Waiver — through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. State officials have proposed modifying the waiver as part of a five-year renewal period with the federal government. (Courtesy of Anna Keyzer)
LINCOLN — A proposal from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for changes to a Medicaid waiver allowing aging Nebraskans and those with a disability to remain at home is causing panic for some families and caregivers.
The 238-page proposal to the state’s Aged and Disabled Waiver would limit the need-determined reimbursable hours of caregivers from a current cap of 112 hours to 70. Of those hours, a paid live-in family caregiver could be reimbursed up to 40 hours, a part of the program with no current cap.
Aged and Disabled Waiver eligibility
- Be eligible for Nebraska Medicaid.
- Have a disability or be over the age of 65.
- Meet Nursing Facility Level of Care.
- Demonstrate need for services.
More information is available here…