Washington DC Medicaid Waivers & Home and Community Based Programs Overview
- Waiver Policy Analyst
- Jan 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Washington, D.C., known as The Nation’s Capital, has a well-developed Medicaid Waiver and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) system designed to provide long-term care alternatives for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions.
Administered by the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) in collaboration with the Department on Disability Services (DDS) and the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL), the District’s Medicaid waiver programs allow eligible individuals to receive services in their homes or community settings instead of institutional care.
Key waiver programs include the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Waiver, which provides personal care, respite, and home modifications for seniors and adults with physical disabilities, and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Waiver, which offers residential, employment, and habilitative services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Additional programs include the Individual and Family Support (IFS) Waiver, which provides targeted support for individuals with disabilities who live with family or independently, and the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Program, which helps individuals transition from institutional settings to community-based care. Washington, D.C., also offers Self-Directed Services, allowing participants to hire and manage their own caregivers for greater flexibility and independence.
Regulatory oversight in Washington, D.C., is managed through DHCF, DDS, and DACL, with additional provider licensing and compliance enforcement by the D.C. Department of Health (DOH), Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA). The District operates under a Managed Care model, with HCBS services integrated into D.C. Medicaid’s Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to enhance service coordination and cost-effectiveness.
D.C. has also implemented Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for personal care services, ensuring compliance and service integrity. Providers must navigate Medicaid enrollment, waiver-specific service authorizations, and rigorous quality assurance measures to participate successfully in the District’s HCBS system.
With a strong emphasis on community-based care, self-direction, and person-centered planning, Washington, D.C.’s Medicaid waiver programs ensure that individuals receive high-quality, sustainable long-term care while maintaining independence, dignity, and full inclusion in their communities.
Explore Policy and Procedure manual for licensing and certification for your state Medicaid Waiver and HCBS programs here.
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