Elderly Hoosiers May Not Get Proper Care, Due to Medicaid Delays

Source: (Photo: Suchada Toemkraisri/Thinkstock)

RICHMOND, Ind. — If you have an aging relative who may soon need more dedicated care, you probably know how expensive that can be. Some Hoosiers now worry they will not be able to get what they need.

Like many elderly Americans, James Hobgood relies on Social Security to live. His current apartment is difficult to access because of mobility limitations, meaning a new space would be better for his needs.

While an open apartment at a senior living community nearby might be perfect, he cannot afford it without a PathWays to Aging Medicaid waiver. Unfortunately, he has been on the waitlist for one since May.

He said, “I just don’t think that the state, at least in my case…is doing much of anything to help me.”

WISH-TV reports that he is one of 20 people trying to get an apartment at The Leland Legacy, and one of thousands trying to get a waiver. But, The Leland Legacy Executive Director Amanda Marquis says recent changes made by the Family and Social Services Administration have created challenges.

According to Marquis, people like Hobgood would have had to wait about 4-6 weeks to get approved for Medicaid and into an apartment in the past. The Medicaid waitlist has extended that to one or two years.

And, these delays for prospective renters are making it difficult for The Leland Legacy to operate, as it is now housing far fewer people than intended. This means profit margins are low and not sustainable.