Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care (MLTC) are pleased to announce the expansion of the Katie Beckett Program to provide greater access to essential Medicaid services for children who live with their families and meet the Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) level of care (LOC) or Nursing Facility Level of Care (NF LOC) for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (IID).
This expansion is effective July 1, 2024, for ICF LOC and July 2, 2024, for NF LOC. This will allow children with ICF/IID and NF LOC under age 19 who live with their families to qualify for Medicaid eligibility without the parents’ income or resources being considered. Previously, the child receiving Medicaid services through the Katie Beckett Program had to meet the hospital level of care. This expansion allows families to be able to access Medicaid services, without requiring participation in a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver.
“The expansion of Medicaid to families is a positive step forward in Governor Pillen’s plan to eliminate the Developmental Disabilities Waitlist,” said Tony Green, Director of the DDD. “This expansion will provide greater access to critical Medicaid services for individuals with disabilities.”
The Katie Beckett Program provides Medicaid coverage to a child with ICF/IID or NF LOC and only considers the child’s income and resources to determine eligibility, not the resources or income of the child’s parents. The purpose of the program is to offer services to children who live at home with their parents and are eligible for Medicaid based on their high level of need. Medicaid services available through the Katie Beckett Program include but are not limited to, nursing care in the home, hospital stays, medicine, medical supplies, equipment, and physician fees. Private health insurance through a parent does not disqualify a child from receiving Medicaid services.
“The Katie Beckett Program expansion is one of the many ways NE DHHS is committed to offering Nebraskans services that suit their needs,” said Matt Ahern, Interim Director of MLTC. “The expansion offers more opportunities to support and care for children with ICF/IID or in need of NF LOC.”
Families can apply for Medicaid online through the Medicaid Application Portal or submit a paper application to their local Medicaid office. Complete the Medicaid application online at: https://iserve.nebraska.gov/apply/start.
Families in need of assistance with the application process can reach out to the Katie Beckett support team in MLTC at dhhs.katiebeckett@nebraska.gov or MLTC’s main phone line at (855) 632-7633.
More information about the Katie Becket Program can be found on the DHHS website under Home and Community-Based Services: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid-Home-and-Community-Based-Programs.aspx.
