If you or someone in your family needs nursing facility care or personal care in the home and cannot afford the cost, you may be eligible for to have this service covered by Medicaid. You can apply for Medicaid online or at your local Department of Social Services.
Prescreening
Prescreening is the preauthorization of Medicaid payment for covered Long Term Care services. A nurse from the local Health Department and an adult service worker visit the patient at home to assess the level of care that the patient needs. This information is given to the local Health Department director and a decision is made as to whether or not long term care is necessary and cost efficient. The prescreening process may be completed by a hospital screening committee if the person is in an acute care hospital at the time the placement is needed. Individuals at risk of nursing facility placement have several Home and Community-Based Care Waiver options available to them, in addition to placement in a nursing facility. See Medicaid Options for Care.
Applying for Long Term/Personal Care Assessment
Long Term/Personal Care Assessment Services provides information on the Long Term/Personal Care Assessment procedures and application process for adults and children.