Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs That Can Help Pay for Home Care

For new mothers searching for postpartum home care in Georgia, having professional support during the fourth trimester can be the difference between barely surviving and actually recovering well.

One of the first questions families ask when exploring in-home care for a loved one is: how are we going to pay for this? It's a fair and important question. Professional home care is an investment — and for many families in North Georgia, the cost can feel out of reach without outside help.

What many families don't realize is that Georgia has several Medicaid waiver programs specifically designed to help cover the cost of in-home care for eligible individuals. These programs allow people who would otherwise require nursing home care to receive that same level of support in the comfort of their own home — which is almost always where they want to be.

This guide breaks down Georgia's main Medicaid waiver programs, who qualifies, and how to get started.

What Is a Medicaid Waiver Program?

A Medicaid waiver is a special program that allows states to use federal Medicaid funding in flexible ways — including paying for home and community-based services that wouldn't normally be covered under standard Medicaid. The idea is simple: keeping someone at home is almost always less expensive than placing them in a nursing facility, and it's far better for quality of life.

Georgia currently operates several waiver programs relevant to families exploring in-home care options.

1. SOURCE Waiver (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment)

The SOURCE waiver is one of Georgia's most widely used home and community-based programs. It is designed for elderly individuals and adults with physical disabilities who are at risk of nursing home placement.

Who qualifies:

• Age 65 or older, OR an adult with a physical disability

• Meets the level of care required for nursing facility placement

• Financially eligible for Medicaid

• Currently living at home or in an assisted living community

  
  

What it covers:

• Personal care services

• Case management

• Adult day health services

• Home-delivered meals

• Skilled nursing visits

• Respite care for family caregivers

  
  

How to apply: Contact the Georgia Department of Community Health or your local Division of Aging Services office to request a needs assessment. A case manager will evaluate eligibility and coordinate enrollment.

2. CCSP (Community Care Services Program)

The CCSP waiver serves a similar population to SOURCE but is administered through Georgia's Division of Aging Services and tends to focus on a broader range of community-based supports.

Who qualifies:

• Age 65 or older, OR an adult with a physical disability aged 18 or older

• At risk of nursing home placement

• Financially eligible for Medicaid

  
  

What it covers:

• Personal support services

• Homemaker services

• Adult day services

• Emergency response systems

• Respite care

• Transportation

  
  

How to apply: Contact your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in North Georgia. For Cherokee County and Forsyth County families, reach out to the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission's Aging Services division for guidance on CCSP enrollment.

3. NOW and COMP Waivers (New Options Waiver and Comprehensive Supports Waiver)

The NOW and COMP waivers are specifically designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). If your loved one has an IDD diagnosis and needs in-home support, these programs may be relevant.

Who qualifies:

• Individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability

• Meets the level of care required for an intermediate care facility

• Financially eligible for Medicaid

  
  

What it covers:

• Supported employment

• Community access

• Residential support

• Personal support services

• Respite care

• Behavioral support

• 
  

How to apply: Applications are managed through the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Note that wait lists for NOW and COMP can be lengthy — applying early is strongly advised.

4. ICWP (Independent Care Waiver Program)

The ICWP serves working-age adults with significant physical disabilities who want to live independently in the community.

Who qualifies:

• Adults aged 21 or older with a severe physical disability

• Not eligible for Medicare

• Financially eligible for Medicaid

• Able to direct their own care

  
  

What it covers:

• Personal care attendant services

• Specialized medical equipment

• Home modifications

• Therapy services

General Medicaid Financial Eligibility in Georgia

To qualify for any of these waiver programs, your loved one must meet Georgia's Medicaid financial eligibility requirements. Generally this means:

• Income: Monthly income at or below the nursing facility Medicaid income limit (currently around $2,742/month for 2024)

• Assets: Countable assets typically must not exceed $2,000 for an individual

It's important to note that not all assets are counted. A primary home, one vehicle, personal belongings, and certain prepaid funeral arrangements are generally exempt. A Medicaid planning specialist or elder law attorney can help families navigate these rules — especially for couples where only one spouse needs care.

Other Ways to Pay for Home Care

Medicaid waivers aren't the only option. Families in North Georgia also use:

• VA Aid & Attendance — for veterans and surviving spouses (learn more on our veteran care page and in our detailed guide VA Aid & Attendance: A Complete Guide for North Georgia Veterans

  
  

• Long-term care insurance — check your policy for home care benefit

  
  

• Private pay — flexible scheduling to match your budget

  
  

• Medicare — covers skilled nursing and therapy for homebound patients following a qualifying hospital stay (learn more in our post Post-Surgery Recovery at Home: What Families Need to Know

How Another Rose Can Help

Navigating Georgia's Medicaid waiver programs can feel overwhelming — the eligibility requirements, the paperwork, the waiting lists. At Another Rose, our team has experience working with families across Cherokee County, Forsyth County, and surrounding North Georgia communities to understand their options and access the care they need.

Whether you're just starting to explore waiver programs or you're ready to begin care while you wait for approval, we're here to help you every step of the way. Our home care services are flexible, compassionate, and designed to meet your loved one exactly where they are.

Our team can help you understand your Medicaid waiver options — reach out today.

📞 855-236-8317🌐 Request a Free Consultation