Program Overview

The Connecticut First Choice Program got launched to encourage Medicaid members under the Affordable Care act. It provides applicants with support services at their place. These services are not only restricted to cooking meals, doing household chores conducting daily life routine activities. Along with them, it also includes educational and learning services. By applying in the program, the applicants are able to benefit from highly qualified staff. Hiring requirements can be set for each service while family members can also be hired. The services are provided at the applicant’s house. The applicant can also benefit from the staff for outdoor activities like community and doctor visits.

The program was initiated by the federal government and is conducted through the Connecticut Community Care. They hold a team of qualified social workers and nurses to provide the applicant with the right treatment and care. It includes a detailed evaluation of the applicant situation including health functioning, emotional state, home environment, and financial condition. A custom plan for care is then created by the care manager that includes the current and long term aims. Aspects that are set for the care of the applicant according to his preference. The care manager works along the applicant and family to satisfy his dreams and desires. The services are aimed to run smoothly and are coordinated according to health agencies, companion service, transport, and technology, etc. The care managers also cover the information about self-directed support to the applicant while hiring a personal care assistant (PCA). They also act as monitors and are available 24/7 service for any emergency or concern. CFC offers services including personal care like dressing mobility and bathing for ADLs, laundry, meals, and housecleaning with Instrumental ADLs. Along with these, there are also home deliveries, safe modifications like ramps, and bars necessary for a wheelchair. These services can be consumer-directed as the program allows them to let family members hire or participate.

Eligibility Requirements

A set of rules has been established by the managing authority to help with the selection of the individuals. This ensures that deserving people are helped. Following is the eligibility criteria for the program:

1. The program allows you to hire family members for the purpose of a PCA. It will not affect the waiver of the individual.  
2. If the applicant is already using a Personal Care assistant at waiver, the CFC participant servicers are automatically eligible for him. More information can be obtained from the care manager.
3. Eligible applicants are provided with a PCA and other services by self-direction.
4. If the applicant does not have a spend-down, they are still eligible to apply. However, the spend-down rules given by DSS and their requirement must be met.
5. While hiring a PCA the applicant cannot hire their spouse, their health care representative, or their guardian.
6. A hired PCA must be 16 years old, experienced in providing personal care, able to follow written or verbal instructions. The PCA will have to be physically able to conduct the service.
7. The program also requires a medical and financial condition criterion. Medical requirements include that the applicants who are a senior citizen or 65+ in age. They should be eligible for the state’s Medicaid program known as HUSKY C.
8. The income restrictions are different on the basis of marital status and the region the applicant is living in. Single applicants including the widowed in the southwestern CT must not have income more than 984 every month. Similarly, a single applicant in eastern and western CT must not have greater than $874. On the other hand, the married applicant in southwestern Ct should not have more than $1507 each month. In the eastern and western regions, they should not have more than $1398.
9. The applicants who are disabled and single should not have more than $1600 of countable assets. However, the applicants who are married should not have more than $2400. The applicants’ house is not considered a countable asset.
10. Senior citizens who are accepted by any Medicaid waiver program, CHCPE, PCA and are getting at least one service can self-direct. The income limit for Medicaid funded applicants is $2349.

How to Apply

The application process can be started for the CFC program in different ways. Interested individuals can contact 1-888-992-8637. The application process can also be started through the online website of the Connecticut state. Those applicants who are not registered in Medicaid should apply through the office of DSS in Connecticut. These offices are spread throughout the state. Their list can be found on the online website, making it easier for people to reach out. The interested applicants must be ready to share their personal and financial data.

For Further Information

In case of assistance, people can reach out to through a telephone line. They will be able to solve their queries easily. They can contact 2-1-1 from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Friday. Similarly, the website set up by the Connecticut DSS is also helpful in this regard. The Department of Social Services has the appropriate information for interested individuals. These people can also reach out through (888) 922-8637 or (203) 757-5449. Visit Benefits by State for more insights.