Monitored In-Home Caregiving (MIHC) and Individual and Family Support (IFS) are two Medicaid-related terms that are often confused. If you want to get the most out of your benefits, it’s essential to learn the differences between the services you may be eligible for. This article will compare MIHC and IFS, highlighting their main differences and what they mean for Louisianans. By the end, you’ll be able to decide which is best for you or your loved one’s needs.
What is Monitored In-Home Caregiving (MIHC)?
Monitored in-home caregiving is a service beneficiaries receive as part of the Community Choices Waiver (CCW) through Louisiana Medicaid. It’s when a caregiver lives in a beneficiary’s home and provides care for them under the supervision of two professionals:
- A nurse
- An MIHC Provider Care Manager
The goal of MIHC is to enable the beneficiary to maintain and improve their health at home. Live-in caregivers usually assist with in-home activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, brushing teeth, and eating. They also help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like budgeting, making calls, or cooking.
Here are some other services provided through MIHC:
- Nursing
- Support coordination
- Skilled maintenance therapy
- Transition service
- Transition intensive support coordination
- Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Note: Though MIHC seems to refer to in-home help, the caregiver might also escort the individual outside of the home for their safety. For more information about MIHC, read this Louisiana Department of Health resource.
What is the Individual and Family Support (IFS) Program?
Sometimes, Medicaid members with disabilities are on plans that don’t adequately address all of their needs. Individual and Family Support (IFS) services act as a safety net for people with disabilities; they are only used when services available through other resources are insufficient to keep them living at home. Here are some of the benefits offered through this program:
- Special clothing
- Certain medical and dental services
- Respite care
- Equipment and supplies
- Family education
*This is not an exhaustive list of services that may be offered through IFS.
MIHC vs IFS: The Differences
There are three main differences between MIHC and IFS, and we’ll list them below:
- Their purpose and targeted beneficiaries – MIHC seeks to support individuals with disabilities who need 24/7 in-home care. On the other hand, IFS is used as needed to fill gaps in benefits for those with disabilities.
- The types of services offered – Through MIHC, caregivers provide various comprehensive services, including ADLs, IADLs, and even some out-of-the-home services. Conversely, IFS services are ad hoc, only provided as needed, and not necessarily on an ongoing basis. They’re also different from the services provided through MIHC.
- Where the services are offered – MIHC services are provided primarily in the participant’s home. IFS services may be provided in various settings without a live-in arrangement.
How to Enroll in Either MIHC or IFS
You may have decided by now whether MIHC or IFS will be right for you. Regardless of your decision, the next step is to call the Medicaid hotline at 1-888-342-6207 or visit a Medicaid office near you. Speak to a representative about the programs and inquire about the enrollment process.
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about the differences between MIHC and IFS. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best as you secure the services you need.
