Exploration of the Effects of Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Services on Outcomes for People With Intellectual Disability Available to Purchase

Medicaid home and community-based services waiver programs provide important long-term care services and supports for millions of eligible Americans with intellectual disability. The purpose of this study was to assess multiple outcomes from the caregiver perspective among two groups: people with intellectual disability who receive waiver services and those waiting for services in Alabama. The administering agency of services mailed 1,000 research packets to the homes of both groups; 143 caregivers returned usable instruments, and 58% were caregivers of people with intellectual disability who received waiver services. Findings suggested that people with intellectual disability who received waiver services had higher levels of caregiver perceived outcomes than those waiting for services. Additional research is needed to better understand these outcomes.