How to apply for Home & Community-Based Options Waiver + Community First Choice — Maryland

Who it's for

Maryland's Home and Community-Based Options Waiver and Community First Choice pay for help at home — personal assistance, nurse monitoring, home-delivered meals, equipment, and adult day services — so older adults who qualify for nursing-home level care can stay in the community. Eligibility takes a functional assessment plus long-term-care Medicaid financial rules. Start with the local Area Agency on Aging or Maryland Access Point or the waiver line 1-877-463-3464.

What you'll need

• Functional assessment (arranged through MAP/AAA)
• Long-term-care Medicaid financial documentation

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Home & Community-Based Options Waiver + Community First Choice — Maryland. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need functional assessment (arranged through MAP/AAA), long-term-care Medicaid financial documentation — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Maryland Access Point (MAP), or call the waiver line at 1-877-463-3464 to get started.
2. Schedule a functional assessment through MAP or your local AAA — this assessment determines whether you meet the nursing-home level of care required for the program.
3. Gather your long-term-care Medicaid financial documentation, such as proof of income and assets, to show you meet the financial eligibility rules — note these rules are different from standard community Medicaid limits.
4. Apply online or by phone at 1-877-463-3464 by submitting your functional assessment results and financial documents.
5. Ask the agency about the waiver registry, as a waitlist may apply in some years — getting your application in early is important.

What to expect: After submitting, the Maryland Department of Health will review both your functional assessment and your long-term-care Medicaid financial eligibility. Processing times vary, so ask the agency for an estimate when you apply. If approved, you can receive services such as personal assistance, nurse monitoring, home-delivered meals, equipment, and adult day services — all designed to help you stay in your home and community. Be aware that a waitlist may exist in some years, so ask about your place in the registry. Coverage must be renewed annually, so watch for renewal notices and respond promptly to avoid a gap in services.

Renewals

annual