When you begin to learn about Medicaid, it’s easy to get lost in the jargon. Two of the main avenues of service under the Medicaid umbrella include home providers and support coordination agencies. Could they be the same, or are they different? And what parts do they play in your care and benefits? If you’re interested in learning more about each of them with a focus on their differences in the context of Louisiana Medicaid, keep reading!

What are Medicaid Home Providers?

In the context of Louisiana Medicaid, home providers are the trained professionals who come to your house and provide medically necessary care on a part-time basis. They may be trained or certified in skilled nursing, home health aide services, rehab services, and more. Here are some Medicaid home providers beneficiaries see:

• Nurses (LPN and RN)
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Speech therapists
• Home health aides

*Note: This is not a complete list of professionals that provide care in the home. Remember that you’ll only see the professionals necessary for your specific needs.

For instance, if you are approved to receive home nursing services, an LPN or RN will travel to your home and assess your medication, check on your symptoms, monitor your blood pressure, or provide other services within the scope of their work.

According to Medicaid regulations, only one service professional can be at your home at any given time.

What is a Medicaid Support Coordination Agency?

Unlike Medicaid home providers, LA Medicaid Support Coordination Agencies (SCAs) are firms that provide support coordination services to Medicaid-eligible individuals. They are essentially a helping hand you can use to ensure you’re getting the most out of your benefits. They may help you research or obtain any of the following waivers:

• Supports Waiver
• Residential Options Waiver
• New Opportunities Wavier
• Children’s Choice Waiver

*An SCA or Medicaid waiver support coordinator may also help you access support services outside of these waivers but under the umbrella of the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD).

Even if you opt for a self-directed plan, a support coordination agency can help you manage most, if not all, aspects of your care.

The Main Difference Between Home Providers and Support Coordination Agencies

The main difference between home providers and support coordination agencies is that home providers provide care, whereas support coordination agencies help you coordinate that care. They may ensure that you’ve got access to the right waiver based on your situation, help you set and track goals regarding your care, or even help you plan for emergencies. And this is not even the tip of the iceberg. As you can see, home providers and support coordination agencies are very much different.

If you or your loved one qualifies for home health, they’ll likely communicate with home providers and support coordination personnel throughout the span of their eligibility.

So, there you have it – Medicaid home providers vs. support coordination agencies. We hope you better understand the differences between the two and how each affects your care.