Intake counseling

Intake Counseling is a process where people receive information about their options for long-term services and supports (LTSS) and receive support to make the decision about which LTSS option is the right choice for them, based on their preferences and goals. 

Intake Counseling is also an opportunity to help support people with accessing services they need. This can include getting connected to Medicaid resources, Medicare resources, or other needed community-based organizations.

Intake counseling is offered to everyone who gets a long-term approval outcome on their Indiana Level of Care Assessment Representative (LCAR) nursing facility Level of Care (NF LOC) assessment. It may happen right after completion of your NF LOC assessment, or you can choose to schedule it any time within seven (7) days of completion of your NF LOC assessment.

People who are age 60 or older will receive Intake Counseling from Maximus and people who are under age 60 will receive Intake Counseling from their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).  

No. You can decline Intake Counseling; however, you may still be required to let Maximus (if you are age 60 or older) or your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) (if you are under age 60) know what service you are choosing so that they can make sure any next steps to access your preferred service can happen.

Your Intake Counselor will talk to you to get information about what is important to you when choosing the right service for you, as well as details about the things that may impact your choice. These details include things like your support system, employment, finances, Medicaid coverage, and other circumstances that might impact your care. 

Your Intake Counselor can help you consider the pros and cons of each choice and will help support you when making your decision. You can also let your Intake Counselor know if you need help with assessing supports for Medicaid or Medicare. Your Intake Counselor can also help you access other community-based services.

You have the option of choosing from the following services that require a long-term approval on an IN LCAR nursing facility Level of Care (NF LOC) assessment: 

• Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Waiver

If age 60 or older, you can choose the PathWays for Aging Waiver

If under age 60, you can choose the Health & Wellness Waiver

If you have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnosis regardless of your age (and documentation of this from your physician on a 450b form) you can choose the TBI Waiver

• Nursing Facility
• Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

If you are age 55 or older and live in a PACE service area, you can choose PACE

Even if you qualify for one of the services above based on your NF LOC long term approval, you may also still choose state plan home health services.

Information about Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) service areas in Indiana can be found here: https://www.in.gov/fssa/da/program-of-all-inclusive-care-for-the-elderly/

With a short-term approval on an IN LCAR nursing facility Level of Care (NF LOC) assessment, you can choose to receive care in a nursing facility. If you are age 55 or older and live in a PACE service area (see above), you can also choose PACE. With a short-term approval, you are not able to choose from Indiana’s HCBS Waiver services.

You do not qualify for nursing facility care, PACE, or the State’s HCBS Waiver Services. A Maximus team member will support you with discussing other service options that may meet your needs and will help connect you to the right program or agency to help you access services.