1915 (c) waiver Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

California’s six Medi-Cal 1915(c) waivers allow the state to provide services to persons who would otherwise need care in a nursing facility or hospital in the community-based setting of their choice.
Medi-Cal has an agreement with the Federal Government that allows waiver services to be offered in a private home or in a homelike community setting.
The services offered under the waivers must not cost more than the alternative institutional level of care. HCBS Waiver recipients must qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal.

The six Medi-Cal 1915(c) waivers are:

  • California Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)
  • California Self-Determination Program (SDP) Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
  • HCBS Waiver for Californians with Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD)
  • Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver
  • Medi-Cal Waiver Program (MCWP), formerly called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Waiver
  • Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

To learn more visit the Medi-Cal Waivers website, or call Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY: 711).

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