Federal Government Encourages States to Make Self-Directed Personal Care an Option for Disabled Medicaid Consumer Who Need Help at Home

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services allows state Medicaid programs to offer a "Cash & Counseling" state plan option without first obtaining a federal waiver. This change comes after evaluation found that Cash & Counseling improves quality of life, reduces unmet needs for care, and helps disabled consumers maintain health without costing Medicaid substantially more than traditional services.