Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
What are HCBS?
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are services that help people with disabilities live in the community instead of in institutions like nursing homes or hospitals.
HCBS are paid for by Medicaid Waivers. Waivers have different rules than other Medicaid services.
Virginia has two categories of waivers. Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers are for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) waiver is for older adults, people with physical disabilities, or people with chronic illness.
What services are available?
Different waivers offer different services. Some examples include:
- Residential
- Group homes
- Supported living
- Sponsored residential
- In-home support
- Respite
- Personal Care
- Day Support
- Supported Employment
- Professional Nursing
In 2024
- 17,210 Virginians used a DD Waiver
- 53,060 Virginians used the CCC Plus Waiver
(https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/data-reporting/programs-services/waiver-services/)
Why HCBS Services Matter
“This is how we live our lives. I wouldn’t be able to live on my own; I’d have to live with family or go to a nursing home.”
— DD Waiver User
“HCBS services help me live as independently as possible in the community.”
— DD Waiver User
Created for people with disabilities by people with disabilities.
This work was supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research [grant #90IFRE0047].