Indiana Health and Wellness Waiver: Who Qualifies, What It Covers and How to Apply

When an adult under 60 needs help at home because of a disability or a serious health condition, the cost of care can feel impossible. Indiana has a Medicaid program built for exactly this situation, but its name changed in 2024 and many families have never heard of it.

The Indiana Health and Wellness Waiver is a Medicaid program that pays for home and community services for Hoosiers 59 and younger who need a nursing facility level of care, so they can get help at home instead of moving into a facility.

This guide explains who qualifies, what the waiver covers, how it differs from PathWays for Aging, what changed in 2026, and how to apply. Vital Home Care is a Fishers-based agency that provides waiver services and helps families through each step.

What is the Indiana Health and Wellness Waiver?

It is a Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver for adults and children 59 and younger with disabilities or medical needs.

On July 1, 2024, Indiana split the old Aged and Disabled (A&D) Waiver into two programs. People 60 and older moved to PathWays for Aging, and people 59 and younger moved to the Health and Wellness Waiver. The waiver is run by FSSA’s Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS).

Instead of paying for a nursing home, the waiver pays for services that let a person live at home, such as personal care, a paid family caregiver, home changes and medical supplies.

Who qualifies for the Health and Wellness Waiver?

To qualify, a person generally must meet four requirements.

• Age: 59 or younger.
• Level of care: needs a nursing facility level of care, confirmed by a state assessment.
• Medicaid: is eligible for Indiana Medicaid, or becomes eligible through the waiver process.
• Residence: lives in Indiana and wants to receive care at home or in the community.

For children under 18, the parents’ income and assets are not counted when deciding waiver eligibility. The child’s own needs and resources are what matter.

What does nursing facility level of care mean?

It means the person has a skilled care need or a medical condition that makes them need hands-on help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting or moving around. Since July 1, 2025, Maximus completes these level of care assessments for the state.

What services does the Health and Wellness Waiver cover?

Services are chosen in a person-centered service plan based on assessed needs. Common services include the following.

Service	What it means
Attendant care	Hourly help with bathing, dressing, meals and mobility from a trained attendant
Structured Family Caregiving	A daily rate paid to a live-in caregiver, often a family member, with agency coaching and nurse support
Home and community assistance	Help with housekeeping, laundry and errands
Respite	Short-term care so the main caregiver can rest
Adult day services	A daytime program outside the home
Home modifications	Changes such as ramps or bathroom grab bars that make the home safer
Specialized medical equipment and supplies	Items not covered by regular Medicaid that support daily living
Transportation	Rides to approved community activities and services
Case management	A care manager who builds and monitors the service plan

Not every person on the Indiana Health and Wellness Waiver gets every service. The care manager and participant decide together what fits, and the participant can choose their providers, including the care management company.

Health and Wellness Waiver vs PathWays for Aging

The biggest difference is age. Both waivers offer similar home care services.

	Health and Wellness Waiver	PathWays for Aging
Age	59 and younger	60 and older
How services are managed	Through the state and a care manager	Through a managed care plan: Anthem, Humana or UnitedHealthcare
Level of care needed	Nursing facility level of care	Nursing facility level of care
Paid family caregiving	SFC and attendant care, with rules for spouses and parents	SFC and attendant care, with rules for spouses

How do you apply for the Health and Wellness Waiver?

Most families start with their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).

1. Call your local Area Agency on Aging. The statewide line at 800-713-9023 connects you to your office. In Marion County and nearby counties, that is CICOA.
2. Complete the level of care assessment with Maximus.
3. Apply for Indiana Medicaid if your loved one is not already enrolled.
4. If a waiver slot is open, choose a care manager and build a service plan. If not, your loved one is placed on the waiting list.
5. Pick your service providers, such as an agency for attendant care or Structured Family Caregiving.

Is there a waiting list?

Yes. The Health and Wellness Waiver has a waiting list, and its length changes often. FSSA posts updates on its HCBS waiver waiting list page. To keep your place, update your AAA whenever your phone number or address changes and check in once a year. You do not need to reapply while you stay in Indiana.

Can a family member be paid through the Health and Wellness Waiver?

Yes. On the Indiana Health and Wellness Waiver, family members can be paid through Structured Family Caregiving or attendant care, with some limits.

• Live-in relatives: can be paid a daily rate through SFC.
• Relatives who live elsewhere: can be paid as attendants for up to 40 hours a week each.
• Spouses: can be paid through SFC when they live in the same home. Attendant care is allowed only under the extraordinary care allowance.
• Parents of minor children: can be paid when extraordinary care requirements are met.

Our guide to Structured Family Caregiving vs attendant care compares the two in detail, and our paid family caregiver program page explains how Vital supports SFC caregivers.

What changed in 2026?

Indiana made several changes to the Indiana Health and Wellness Waiver in 2026.

• January 1, 2026: an extraordinary care allowance lets spouses and parents of minors be paid for attendant care in limited cases involving intensive nursing needs, up to 40 hours a week combined. The Indiana Health Coverage Programs bulletin lists the details.
• August 1, 2026: paid relatives and legal guardians are limited to 40 hours a week each.
• August 1, 2026: case management moved to state-selected Case Management Organizations, with new home visit requirements.

Rules continue to change, so confirm the current details with your care manager or a waiver provider before you make plans.

Tips for a smoother application

• Apply early. The waiting list means delays are common.
• Keep a simple log of daily help needed, falls and hospital visits to share at the assessment.
• Gather Medicaid documents such as ID, income and bank statements in one folder.
• Ask about private pay or other help while you wait. Our guide to home care cost in Indianapolis covers options.

Conclusion

The Indiana Health and Wellness Waiver helps Hoosiers 59 and younger who need a nursing facility level of care stay at home with attendant care, a paid family caregiver, home changes and other services. You start with your Area Agency on Aging, complete a level of care assessment and, if a slot is open, build a service plan. Expect a waiting list, and apply as soon as you can. Vital Home Care provides home care services across Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Greenwood, Zionsville, Avon and Plainfield and can guide you from application to the first visit.