Medicaid offers each State funding for children with Developmental Disabilities, Autism, etc. Most of the cost of these waivers are funded Federally (70-80%), and the balance is State funding. This gives each State the power to choose policies for each family to meet in order to obtain services for their child. Many States have long waiting lists-anywhere from 2-5 years before their child's name gets to the top of "the list." Once you finally get a call that your child's name got to the top of the list, you must then go through a grueling "Intake" process. This can include many evaluations and take even more time before your child actually receives an approval.
At this point, Medicaid Waivers do not transfer State to State. So if your family is transferred to another State, your child loses their waiver. Then you must begin the process all over again, and you start off at the bottom of the waiting list. In the meantime, your child goes without services during a very critical time. We need new legislation to regulate reciprocal services so that our children have continuity of care. Has anyone else had this experience? Do you have any suggestions?