How to Sign Up

How you apply for a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver depends on whether you already have Medicaid coverage. If you do, you don’t need to fill out a new application. Just go to your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office and say that you want to request waiver services. They’ll have you fill out a one-page Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Request.

If you don’t already have Medicaid, you have to apply for it and select the waiver you want to apply for. You can apply:

• In person at your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office
• By downloading a paper application and faxing or mailing it in to your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office, or
• Online using the Iowa HHS Benefits Portal.

Note: If you use a paper application, make sure to fill out Appendix A and choose which waiver you want to apply for.

Getting Services After You Apply

Even if you qualify for a waiver, you might not be able to get services right away:

1. After you apply, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reads your application to see if you might qualify for a waiver.
2. If you might qualify, they see if there is a waiver slot available. If there isn’t a slot available, your name is put on the waiting list.
   1. When your name goes on the waiting list, you get a letter in the mail that says you are not eligible for a waiver. This doesn’t mean that you are denied waiver services permanently, just that you have to wait for an available slot before HHS can determine eligibility. Keep this letter for your records.
   2. If your address changes while you are on the waiting list, you must update your information with your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office.
3. If you are on the waiting list and you have an emergency or urgent need for services, try applying for waitlist priority. Complete the Waiver Priority Need Assessment (WPNA) form and turn it into your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office.
4. When a slot opens for you, you get a notice that you are off the waiting list. You must respond to this notice within 30 days.
5. Once you are off the waiting list, HHS checks again if you are eligible for the waiver. They make sure you still meet the financial eligibility requirements and do an in-home assessment to confirm that you need waiver services.
6. Once approved, you get a case manager who works with you to decide which services you need to live in the community and which you can get.

Appeals

If your application is denied, or you disagree with a decision about waiver services, you can appeal the decision. To appeal, contact your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office within 90 days after you get a notice about eligibility or services. You can also request an appeal in writing by completing the Appeal and Request for Hearing form or by writing a letter and sending it to your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office. Learn more about appeals.