Definition

Respite is temporary care provided to consumers designed to provide relief for the consumer’s family member who serves as the unpaid primary care giver. Respite is necessary for families who provide constant care for consumers so family members are able to receive periods of relief for vacations, holidays and scheduled periods of time off.

Temporary respite is provided in planned hourly segments and does not include payment during respite worker sleep time.

A self-direct option may be chosen for respite care by the individual or, if the person is incapable of providing self-direction, by the consumer’s guardian or parent acting on his/her behalf.

Limitations and restrictions

a) HCBS MR/DD Respite care is available to Medicaid consumers who:
-Are 5 years of age or older
-Are mentally retarded or developmentally disabled
- meet the criteria for ICF/MR level of care as determined by ICF/MR(HCBS MR/DD)screening
- choose to receive HCBS MR/DD rather than ICF/MR services

b) HCBS MR/DD is available to minor children, ages 5-18, who are determined eligible for the Medicaid program through a waiver of requirements relating to the deeming of parental income and who meet the criteria above.

c) Respite care may not be provided by a consumer’s spouse or by a parent of a consumer who is a minor child under eighteen years of age.

d) Respite care consumers may not also receive residential services or family/individual supports.

e) Respite care services can not be provided to a consumer who is an inpatient of a hospital, a nursing facility, or an ICF/MR when the inpatient facility is billing Medicaid, Medicare and/or private insurance