Program Name: Consumer Choices Option

Goals: To use public funds as investments in people's lives rather than as mere mechanisms to purchase human services

Target population: Older Iowans and people with disabilities that are eligible for our HCBS waivers

Number of anticipated participants: 400 participants in the first year of enrollment

Waiver used: 1915 (c) Waiver - Ill and handicapped, Physical disability, Mental retardation, Elderly, Brain Injury and AIDS/HIV

Lead agency: Iowa Department of Human Services

Questions and enrollment:

Eileen Creager
Long-Term Care Bureau Chief
Iowa Department of Human Services
Des Moines, IA 50319

(p) 515-281-5169
(f) 515-281-8512
ECREAGE@dhs.state.ia.us

The Developing Choices program provides consumers with the option to control their own Medicaid Waiver services. Consumers receive a monthly budget based on his/her needs, and use this money to hire personal assistant services, make home modifications, and more. Iowa's Financial Management Strategy uses Credit Unions and banks as providers.

Program enrollment began in December 2006.