Indiana
Health & Wellness Waiver / PathWays for Aging (H&W Waiver)
Self-directed care programs in Indiana that let you choose your own personal assistant or pay a family member as your caregiver.
Health & Wellness Waiver / PathWays for Aging
Wait: 11-30 moPA Hourly Rate
$15.00 - $18.00
per hour
Monthly Benefit
$1,200 - $3,800
estimated range
What You Can & Can't Do
What You Can Do
- Hire a family member (not spouse) as your paid caregiver
- Direct and schedule your own care services
- Receive attendant care, homemaker, and respite services
- Use a fiscal intermediary for payroll management
- Request an increase in hours if needs change
- Choose between agency-directed and self-directed models
What You Can't Do
- Hire your spouse as a paid caregiver
- Skip the waitlist — enrollment is based on availability
- Use waiver funds for medical or skilled nursing care
- Receive services while in an institutional setting
- Exceed your authorized service plan hours
- Hire a caregiver without completing required background checks
How to Apply
Apply for Indiana Medicaid
Ensure you have active Indiana Medicaid through FSSA at (800) 457-4584.
Contact Area Agency on Aging
Call your local Area Agency on Aging & Disability (AAA) or BDDS for a waiver referral.
Complete functional assessment
A case manager assesses your functional needs to determine if you meet the nursing facility level of care.
Join the waiver waitlist
If eligible, you'll be placed on the waitlist (11-30 months). You'll be notified when a slot opens.
Choose participant-directed services
When enrolled, elect the self-directed option for managing your own caregivers.
Develop your care plan
Work with your case manager to create a person-centered service plan.
Hire and enroll caregivers
Recruit caregivers and complete enrollment through the fiscal intermediary with required background checks.
PA Documents & Requirements
What your personal assistant needs to get started in Indiana
Government-issued photo ID
Valid driver's license, state ID, or passport
Social Security card
For employment and tax purposes
W-4 tax withholding form
Federal tax withholding
I-9 Employment Eligibility
Proof of work authorization
Indiana State Police background check
Criminal history check through ISP
National criminal history check
FBI fingerprint-based background check
Direct deposit form
Bank information for payroll deposits
Frequently Asked Questions
What self-directed care options does Indiana offer?
Indiana offers the Health & Wellness Waiver and PathWays for Aging waiver, both with participant-directed services options that let you hire and manage your own caregivers.
Can a family member be my caregiver in Indiana?
Yes. Family members can be hired as caregivers. However, spouses are generally not eligible to be paid under Indiana's self-directed programs.
How long is Indiana's waitlist?
Indiana's waiver waitlists are among the longest in the country, ranging from 11 to 30 months depending on the waiver and your priority level.
What is the pay rate for caregivers in Indiana?
Caregiver rates range from $15.00 to $18.00 per hour under the self-directed option.
What does 'participant-directed' mean in Indiana?
It means you (the participant) have the authority to hire, schedule, train, and if necessary fire your own caregivers. You make the decisions about your care rather than an agency.
What services can my caregiver provide?
Attendant care services including bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, and assistance with mobility and transfers.
Ready to check your eligibility?
Answer a few questions and we'll tell you if you qualify for Indiana's H&W Waiver program.