Individuals in the aging community and those with disabilities may have trouble navigating their homes or handling bathroom duties. That’s why Medicaid offers environmental accessibility adaptations – home changes to either make it easier for you to get around or enhance your home’s overall safety. If you or a loved one qualifies for Louisiana Medicaid, it’s worthwhile to find out how to access these benefits. And we’ll show you how to do so in this article. Let’s get right into it!
What are Bathroom and Home Modifications?
Before jumping in any further, it’s important to explore what bathroom and home modifications are. When we mention these terms in the context of Medicaid, we’re talking about increasing the width of doorways, adding stairlifts, shower modifications, and more. The costs of these modifications can range from a few hundred bucks to several thousands of dollars.
Examples of Allowed Modifications Through LA Medicaid
There are several modifications that LA Medicaid routinely funds for beneficiaries. They include:
- Ramps
- Doorway widening
- Grab-bar installs
*This is not an exhaustive list of modifications available to beneficiaries.
Examples of Excluded Modifications Through LA Medicaid
Not all home modifications are thought to be medically necessary. Here are some modifications that Medicaid won’t fund:
- Flooring
- Non-medical light fixtures
- Exterior fences
- Hot tubs
- Roofs
If you’d like to update these, you’ll have to secure alternative funding.
Do You Qualify?
Bathroom and home modifications are available through waiver programs, including the Children’s Choice Waiver (CCW), Community Choices Waiver, New Opportunities Waiver (NOW), Residential Options Waiver (ROW), and more. However, not everyone who qualifies for a specific waiver will be eligible for these extra accommodations. Eligibility for such benefits is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Request Bathroom and Home Modifications
To find out whether you can get environmental accessibility accommodations like bathroom and home modifications, you’ll need to first contact your support coordinator or SCA. Talk to them about the modification you’d like to request.
An occupational or physical therapist will assess your needs and any adaptations that may be necessary. They’ll then recommend any modifications they believe you should be eligible for.
You can also go to your local Medicaid office to inquire about modifications, but a phone call will probably be quicker.
Cooperate With Your Support Coordinator
Upon approval, your support coordinator and others will work behind the scenes to ensure your home modification project goes as smoothly as possible. They’ll work with contractors who will perform the service and obtain pertinent documentation, drawn up plans for the project, and a bid.
After the project is complete, you’ll complete any necessary paperwork to signify that the work was done to your satisfaction. You’ll also receive a warranty certification showing a coverage length of at least 6 months. Medicaid will send reimbursement by the end of the Plan of Care year.
So, there you have it – how to request home modification through LA Medicaid. With the information in this article, you’re well-equipped to pursue the home modifications you may be entitled to.
