Family and Friend Caregiver Services
Maryland Medicaid & HCBS Programs That Pay Family and Friend Caregivers
Maryland offers several Medicaid-funded Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs that allow family members or friends to become paid caregivers.
Some programs are entitlements (available to anyone with full Medicaid and medical need), while others are waiver programs that may include additional financial eligibility checks or waitlists.
The most common programs that allow payment for family/friend caregivers include:
Community First Choice (CFC) – Entitlement
Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) – Entitlement
Community Options Waiver (CO) – Waiver (may include waitlist)
Increased Community Services (ICS) – Waiver
Through these programs, and in partnership with Concierge Home Care of Maryland, caregivers can receive wages, benefits, and ongoing support while caring for their loved one at home.
10
years
of experience with Medicaid & HCBS programs
Maryland Medicaid Waiver Program for Family Caregivers
10
years
of experience with Medicaid & HCBS programs
Maryland offers several Medicaid-funded Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs that allow family members or friends to become paid caregivers.
Some programs are entitlements (available to anyone with full Medicaid and medical need), while others are waiver programs that may include additional financial eligibility checks or waitlists.
The most common programs that allow payment for family/friend caregivers include:
Community First Choice (CFC) – Entitlement
Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) – Entitlement
Community Options Waiver (CO) – Waiver (may include waitlist)
Increased Community Services (ICS) – Waiver
Through these programs, and in partnership with Concierge Home Care of Maryland, caregivers can receive wages, benefits, and ongoing support while caring for their loved one at home.
The Two Coverage Paths in Maryland
1
Entitlement Programs (No Waitlist)
CFC (Community First Choice) and CPAS (Community Personal Assistance Services).
Available to anyone with full Medicaid and medical need.
2
HCBS Waiver Programs (May Have Waitlists)
Community Options (CO) and Increased Community Services (ICS).
These programs may require additional eligibility review and may not start immediately due to capacity limits.
Who Is Eligible To Be Paid as a Family or Friend Caregiver in Maryland?
Eligibility depends on the specific Medicaid or HCBS program, but generally:
The Caregiver Must Be:
- Be 18 years or older
- Pass a background check
- Obtain CPR certification before receiving payment
The Person Who Needs Care Must:
- Live in Maryland
- Be enrolled in full Medicaid
- Need assistance with one or more activity of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, eating, hygiene) OR, for certain programs, meet nursing facility level-of-care criteria
- Live in a home, in independent living, with a family member, or in community setting
Who Does NOT Qualify for Payment as a Family or Friend Caregiver in Maryland?
- Minors
- Parents of a minor child (if the minor child is the person receiving care)
- Spouses of the person receiving care
- Legal guardian, representative, or decision-maker of the person receiving care
Program Availability
Some programs are available immediately if eligibility is met (CFC, CPAS). Others, such as CO or ICS, may involve additional financial review or wait times before services begin.
What Family/Friend Caregiving Services Can Be Paid Through Medicaid & HCBS Programs?
01
Light Housekeeping
02
Laundry
03
Meal Preparation
04
Hands-on Assistance with Feeding
05
Medication Reminders
06
Teeth Brushing
Bathing
07
Dressing & Grooming
08
Toileting Support
09
Incontinence Care
10
Mobility Assistance
11
Help Transferring
12
Scheduling Transportation
13
Accompanying To Appointments
14
Help with Shopping & Errands
15
Post-Hospitalization Support
16
Help with Assistive Technology
17
What Services Are Not Covered Under Medicaid Personal Assistance Programs?
Coverage may vary slightly by program.
01
Emotional Support & Companionship
02
Home Exercise Programs
03
Help With Technology
04
Recreational & Social Activities
Why Choose Concierge Home Care of Maryland to Manage Your Medicaid or HCBS Benefits
a
Expert Leadership
20+ years of combined experience in home care and Medicaid HCBS.
b
Trusted Care
We ensure reliable care from your chosen caregiver, with background checks, CPR/First Aid certification, and nurse oversight.
Pay & Benefits Made Easy
c
We offer competitive pay and benefits* for your caregiver, with seamless enrollment, timely payments, and Medicaid compliance.
* Eligibility for benefits begins at 30 worked hours per week.
How To Enroll & Get Paid as a Family or Friend Caregiver
Because Maryland offers both entitlement programs (CFC, CPAS) and waiver programs (CO, ICS), the enrollment path may vary slightly. The steps below apply across programs.
Confirm Medicaid Status
Initiate Referral for Services
Select a Support Planning Agency
Complete a Functional Assessment
Develop & Request a Plan of Service
State Review & Caregiver Onboarding
Receive Approval Letter
Start of Services
Confirm Medicaid Status
The person who needs care must be enrolled in Maryland Medicaid and have an active coverage group.
If Medicaid is not active, they have to apply through the Department of Social Services (DSS) before moving forward.
Initiate Referral for Services
The person who needs care, or their representative, must contact the Maryland Department of Health at (410) 767-1739 or the Maryland Access Point at (844) 627-5465. They must request a referral for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which may include CFC, CPAS, CO, or ICS. This begins the formal eligibility process.
Select a Support Planning Agency
After the referral is processed, the person who needs care or their representative may choose a Support Planning Agency. If no selection is made within 21 calendar days, one will be assigned. The support planner will guide the service approval process.
Complete a Functional Assessment
The person who needs care will be contacted by the Local Health Department or a state contractor, such as Telligen, who will schedule an in-home functional assessment. This assessment determines medical eligibility, level of care, and whether services qualify under entitlement or waiver programs.
Develop and Request a Plan of Service
The Support Planner will contact the person who needs care to:
Develop your Plan of Service (POS)
Request the number of personal care hours
Specify the types of services needed
Select your provider (you may choose Concierge Home Care of Maryland)
This is where the care recipient indicates that they wish to use a family or friend caregiver.
State Review and Caregiver Onboarding
The Plan of Service is submitted to the Maryland Department of Health for approval and authorized hours.
While awaiting approval, Concierge may begin caregiver onboarding (background check, CPR certification, orientation, payroll paperwork).
Paid services cannot begin until the official state start date is issued.
Receive Approval Letter
If approved, the person who needs care will receive an official letter confirming approval status, authorized hours, and start date for services. Note that paid home care services cannot begin before the confirmed start date listed in the approval letter.
Start of Services
The person who needs care of their representative must schedule an in-home safety and needs assessment with our nurse and complete the necessary paperwork. After that, paid services can begin from their family/friend caregiver.
How To Enroll & Get Paid as a Family or Friend Caregiver
Because Maryland has both entitlement programs and waiver programs, the process can differ slightly depending on eligibility.
Start Your Application
Call the Maryland Department of Health (844-627-5465) or Maryland Access Point (844-627-5465) to initiate a referral for the HCBS Waiver/CFC program.
Select Your Support Planning Agency
Choose a Support Planning Agency (or one will be assigned if no selection is made within 21 days).
Complete Your Needs Assessment
Complete your needs assessment when the Local Health Department calls you. Schedule and complete a functional needs assessment when contacted by the Local Health Department or Telligen (a state contractor).
Develop Your Plan of Service
When your support planner calls, develop your Plan Of Service (POS) by requesting the type and amount of services you need and listing Concierge Home Care of Maryland as your personal assistance provider.
Your POS is Reviewed
Once your POS is approved, you’ll receive an official start date letter.
Approval Letter
Once your POS is approved, you’ll receive an official start date letter.
Call Concierge
Contact Concierge Home Care of Maryland for caregiver onboarding (background checks, orientation, full hiring).
In-Home Assessment
Schedule a in-home safety and needs assessment with our nurse and complete necessary paperwork.
Start of Services
Begin receiving services from your family or friend caregiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have Medicare, does that work?
Medicare alone does not qualify for caregiver payment programs. You need full Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance).
How do I know what type of Medicaid I have?
If you have a red and white Medical Assistance card, it typically indicates that you have full Medicaid coverage, making you eligible for the CFC (Community First Choice) and CPAS (Community Personal Assistance Services) programs. You can also check with the Department of Social Services or through Maryland Access Point. We can guide you on what to ask.
What is the difference between CFC and CPAS?
Both CFC and CPAS are Maryland Medicaid programs that allow individuals to receive personal care services at home instead of in a facility.
The main difference is the level of care needed:
- CFC (Community First Choice) is for individuals who meet a Nursing Facility Level of Care (higher level of need). This means their medical and functional needs are significant enough that they would qualify for care in a nursing home. Because of that, CFC generally supports individuals with higher care needs.
- CPAS (Community Personal Assistance Services) is for individuals who need help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, or mobility, but who do not meet the Nursing Facility Level of Care requirement (lower level of need). It is typically appropriate for individuals with more moderate support needs.
Will I be placed on a waitlist?
It depends on which Medicaid program the person receiving care qualifies for.
Programs such as CFC (Community First Choice) and CPAS (Community Personal Assistance Services) are entitlements, meaning there is no waitlist if the person meets medical and financial eligibility requirements. If the person receiving care has full Medicaid and meets the required level of care, services can begin once the assessment and Plan of Service are approved.
Other programs, such as CO (Community Options Waiver) or ICS (Increased Community Services) are waiver programs, and they have limited enrollment slots and may have a waitlist.If someone is placed in CO or ICS, they may need to wait for an available slot before services can begin.
What determines whether I will be placed in CFC/CPAS vs CO or ICS?
The path depends on several factors related to the person receiving care, including:
Their medical and functional needs
Whether they meet Nursing Facility Level of Care
Their Medicaid coverage group
Financial eligibility requirements
The type and intensity of services needed
CFC and CPAS are considered entitlement programs and are generally accessed first if the individual qualifies.
CO and ICS are waiver programs designed for individuals with more complex needs or specific eligibility profiles that place them under waiver services instead of entitlement programs.
The determination is made through the state’s referral, assessment, and eligibility review process.
Are there differences between services covered by Medicaid, HCBS programs, vs self-pay
Yes. There are limitations to the services covered by Medicaid and HCBS program clients. For instance, services such as companionship, supervision, home exercise, emotional support, recreation, and technology support are not covered by Medicaid and the HCBS programs. Self-pay clients, however, can receive these services when needed.
Who helps me through the process?
Our team supports you from intake through approval, training, and ongoing payroll help. If you need help with enrollment in an HCBS program, reach out; we’ll be happy to provide guidance wherever possible.
Will someone explain things to me?
Yes. We explain everything by phone and follow up every two weeks to make sure you’re supported.
Still Need Help?
Need personalized guidance? Our experienced and dedicated team is happy to help. Call us or fill out our contact form by clicking the button below.
