HCBS Programs and Resources by State
Find Medicaid HCBS Programs and Eligibility Resources Where You Live
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) help eligible older adults and people with disabilities receive long-term services and supports in their homes and communities rather than institutional settings. However, HCBS programs, eligibility requirements, covered services, and the Medicaid authorities used to provide them vary by state.
Use this state-by-state resource to identify the primary HCBS pathway for older adults, understand who the program serves, and connect directly with official state Medicaid resources.
Learn how Zemplee supports Home and Community-Based Services organizations and participants.
Find HCBS Programs in Your State
Select your state to view the primary Medicaid HCBS pathway for older adults, the relevant program or waiver, the Medicaid authority used, who the program serves, and links to official state resources.
Select a state above to see HCBS coverage details.
Eligibility, services, enrollment, and waiver status can change. Please confirm with your State Medicaid Agency or HCBS program.
Important: HCBS programs, eligibility requirements, covered services, enrollment availability, and waiver status can change. Information on this page is updated as of August 2026. Always confirm current eligibility and program information with your State Medicaid Agency or HCBS program.
Browse HCBS Programs by State
Browse Medicaid HCBS programs and resources for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Program structures vary by state and may include Section 1915(c) waivers, Section 1115 demonstrations, managed long-term services and supports, and other Medicaid HCBS authorities.
Eligibility, services, enrollment, and waiver status can change. Please confirm with your State Medicaid Agency or HCBS program.
Understanding HCBS Eligibility
HCBS eligibility is determined by each state's Medicaid program and varies by program or waiver. In many states, older adults seeking Medicaid-funded HCBS must meet both financial eligibility requirements and a functional or clinical level of care, often similar to the level of care that would otherwise be provided in a nursing facility.
States may deliver HCBS through different Medicaid authorities. Many use Section 1915(c) waivers, while others provide services through Section 1115 demonstrations, managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS), or other Medicaid HCBS authorities. This is why the program name and application process can look very different from one state to another.
Eligibility for Medicaid does not always mean immediate enrollment in a particular HCBS program. Some programs have enrollment limits, waiting lists, or additional assessment requirements. Use the state resources above to find your state's current program information and contact the appropriate Medicaid or HCBS agency for an eligibility assessment.
State HCBS Eligibility FAQs
Do I have to qualify for nursing home care to receive HCBS?
Many Medicaid HCBS programs require participants to meet an institutional or nursing-facility level of care while allowing them to receive those services at home or in the community instead. The exact functional and clinical criteria vary by state and program.
This does not mean a person must first live in a nursing home. One of the central purposes of HCBS is to provide eligible people with an alternative to institutional care when their needs can be safely supported in a home or community setting.
Use the state finder above to identify the HCBS pathway where you live and contact the listed state agency for a current eligibility assessment.
Does Medicare pay for HCBS?
HCBS is primarily associated with Medicaid, not traditional Medicare. Medicaid can cover long-term services and supports that help eligible people remain at home or in community settings, including services offered through HCBS waivers and other state Medicaid programs.
Medicare may cover certain short-term or medically necessary home health services for eligible beneficiaries, but it generally does not provide the same ongoing long-term personal care and support available through Medicaid HCBS programs.
Some older adults are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. These individuals may receive Medicare-covered healthcare while Medicaid helps cover qualifying long-term services and supports. Because coverage varies by individual and state, families should confirm benefits with their state Medicaid agency, health plan, or care coordinator.
How do I apply for HCBS in my state?
The HCBS application process varies by state and program. A good first step is to contact your state Medicaid agency, local aging or disability agency, Medicaid managed care plan, or the organization responsible for long-term services and supports in your area.
The application process may include a Medicaid financial eligibility review and an assessment of your functional or clinical needs to determine whether you meet the program's required level of care. Some states may also assign a case manager or care coordinator to help develop a person-centered service plan.
Use the state finder above to locate the primary HCBS pathway for older adults in your state and follow the official state resource link for current application instructions.
Can there be a waiting list for HCBS services?
Yes. Some Medicaid HCBS programs may have waiting lists, enrollment limits, or a limited number of available waiver slots. A person may meet Medicaid and functional eligibility requirements but still have to wait before certain HCBS services become available.
Availability varies significantly by state and program and can change over time. Some states may also prioritize applicants based on factors such as level of need, risk of institutionalization, or transition from a nursing facility.
If a program has a waiting list, ask your state Medicaid agency, case manager, Area Agency on Aging, or HCBS program whether other Medicaid services, state-funded programs, managed-care benefits, or community resources are available while you wait.
Can HCBS help someone avoid or transition out of a nursing home?
Yes. A central purpose of many HCBS programs is to help eligible people receive long-term services and supports in their homes and communities rather than institutional settings. For someone currently living at home, HCBS may provide services and supports that help address care needs and reduce reliance on nursing-facility care when community living remains appropriate.
HCBS can also support people who are already living in a nursing facility and want to transition back to the community. Depending on the state and program, transition services may help coordinate housing, personal care, assistive technology, home modifications, caregiver support, and other services needed to establish a safer living environment at home.
Eligibility and transition programs vary by state. Use the state finder above to identify your state's HCBS pathway and ask specifically about nursing-home diversion, transition services, or community-transition programs.
Can Medicaid HCBS pay for remote monitoring or assistive technology?
In some states and HCBS programs, yes. Medicaid HCBS authorities may cover services or technologies such as assistive technology, personal emergency response systems, telemonitoring, remote supports, medication-reminder systems, or other technology that helps an eligible participant remain safely in the community.
Coverage is state- and program-specific. The technology generally must be included as an allowable service under the applicable Medicaid authority and, when required, determined appropriate for the participant through an assessment and person-centered service plan.
Our state-by-state research identified several programs that explicitly reference remote monitoring or related technology. Participants and families should use the state finder above and ask their case manager, care coordinator, Medicaid managed care plan, or HCBS program whether remote monitoring or assistive technology is available under their specific benefit.
Zemplee works with HCBS organizations to provide passive, camera-free and wearable-free remote monitoring designed to create an additional safety net in the home. Families interested in Zemplee can contact us to explore whether an appropriate HCBS pathway may be available in their state.