Katie Beckett Waiver

What is the Katie Beckett Waiver?

Tennessee’s Katie Beckett program is for children under the age of 18 with significant disabilities or complex medical needs. This program is for children who are not Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets.

This program has two parts, A and B, and will provide services and/or help paying for medical care that private insurance does not cover.

Katie Beckett Part A

Part A is for children who, based on their level of care needs, qualify for care in a medical institution- like a hospital, nursing home, or Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), but the family wants to care for their child at home instead.

  • Part A serves children with the most significant disabilities or complex medical needs.
  • Children receive full Medicaid benefits, which can include services like home health, private duty nursing, durable medical equipment and supplies, and occupational, physical and speech therapies, among other services.
  • Children in Part A also receive up to $15,000 a year in home and community- based services. These are non-medical services that help families care for children in their homes. Some of these services include respite, supportive home care, and home and vehicle modifications.

Katie Beckett Program Part B

Part B is for children who don’t qualify for care in an institution but based on their level of care needs, are considered “at risk” of going into one unless they can get services.

  • Part B serves children with disabilities or complex medical needs.
  • Children in Part B are not enrolled in Medicaid. They receive up to $10,000 a year in services.
  • Families have the flexibility to choose any or all of the following services within their budget: premium assistance, a health-care savings type account, reimbursement for services that will benefit the child but can’t be covered under a health-care savings account, self-directed respite and supportive home care services, or an array of services from a community-based provider.

Katie Beckett Program Part C

  • For children who have Medicaid, but their Medicaid is ending because their parents’ income or resources have increased.
  • Allows a child to keep Medicaid if they would qualify for Part A, but there isn’t a slot open.
  • Part C slots are only used when no openings remain in Part A.
  • If a child enrolls in Part C and then gets a Part A slot, they must move to Part A.

There is a limit on how many children can enroll in Part A and Part B. The limits are based on the amount of funding available for the program.

Applicants must apply for and be determined eligible for Part B before being able to be considered for Part A. There is a medical and a financial part of the application process. Both are started at the same time. The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) is responsible for the medical eligibility and TennCare is responsible for the financial eligibility. Member services from TennCare gets the application and sends a referral to the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA).

It is important to be aware that all applications for Katie Beckett include applying for Medicaid, even if you know that you won’t qualify for Medicaid. A list of possible information that may be needed to complete the financial eligibility part of the application can be found in the Katie Beckett application items for financial eligibility.

To apply for Tennessee’s Katie Beckett Program, follow the steps below:

1. The application will start with a self-referral by creating a TennCare Connect account online at: https://tenncareconnect.tn.gov/

Fill in the required information to complete the self-referral process.

2. Filling out the self-referral online is the fastest way to apply for the program. But if you don’t have a computer or would like assistance, a Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) case manager can help you complete the self-referral. To get help, call the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) office in your region:

West Tennessee Regional Office: (866) 372-5709

Middle Tennessee Regional Office: (800) 654-4839

East Tennessee Regional Office: (888) 531-9876

3. Once you complete the self-referral, a Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) case manager will contact you to conduct an assessment. Be ready to provide medical documents that clearly identify your child’s condition and/or proof of intellectual disability at the time of the assessment. Please note: your child’s enrollment could be denied or delayed if you are unable to provide these supporting documents when you meet.