• ** Approved NC Piedmont Innovations Waiver **

• Home Supports DSE Checklist

The Innovations Waiver offers an array of services and support options designed to assist individuals of all ages with intellectual or other developmental disabilities, remain in their community and live as independently as possible.

Innovations is an Independence Plus Initiative which is a type of waiver that allows individuals to serve an essential role in deciding how to plan, obtain and sustain community based services for themselves, and helps individuals with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives.

In Innovations the Self-Directed Service Option is know as Individual and Family Directed Services. See Self-Direction

The PBH Innovations Waiver is designed to encourage people to live in their own homes, family residence, or other small, integrated community living arrangement.

Innovations is a supplement rather than a replacement for formal or information supports like school, insurance coverage, family, friends, faith based communities and more.

Innovations serves people whose Medicaid is assigned to Cabarrus, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties. (If you have questions about Medicaid eligibility call your local Department of Social Services.)

Innovations can only serve an approved number of individuals during each waiver year. Once an individual enters Innovations during the waiver year (April 1 through March 31), they count toward the maximum number of persons who can be served. If that individual leaves the waiver at any point during the waiver year, a new person cannot replace him or her because the funding (slot) has been utilized. If an individual has to leave Innovations during the waiver year, that individual can re-enter the waiver during the same waiver year if it is requested prior to March 31.

Waivers were developed because of a change made to Medicaid regulations in 1981. A waiver allows Federal and State governments to waiver requirements of the law to give more flexibility in spending Medicaid funds. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) waives certain Medicaid requirements to make it possible for individuals with significant disabilities to access needed Medicaid services outside of institutional facilities.

A person may be eligible for Innovations Waiver if:

• The individual has mental retardation or another developmental disability resulting in substantial limitations in several major life areas.


• The individual is eligible for Medicaid.


• The individual’s legal county of residence for Medicaid eligibility purposes is Cabarrus, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly or Union counties in NC.


• The individual meets the criteria for placement in an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR).


• The individual’s health, safety, and well-being can be maintained in the community.