Paying for care in Iowa
Getting paid to care for a family member in Iowa
Yes. In Iowa, a family member can be paid to give care through HCBS Elderly Waiver and Consumer Choices Option (CCO). Whether a spouse can be paid depends on conditions, which the page on getting paid sets out with their sources.
Respite care for family caregivers in Iowa
Yes. In Iowa, family caregivers can get respite through one program on record: HCBS Elderly Waiver respite care.
Checked
Each fact on this page links to its official source and shows the date we checked it. How we verify
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Programs on record
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Medicaid waiver
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Medicaid self-directed care
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HCBS Elderly Waiver respite care
Respite program
How to apply
HCBS Elderly Waiver
- How to apply
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For help applying for Medicaid, use the Apply for Medicaid page, or find a local HHS office for help in person or over the phone with your HCBS application. Member Services can also help.
Iowa HHS publishes a monthly slot and waitlist dashboard for the waivers.
Source: Home and Community-Based Services (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)Checked
- Phone
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Iowa Medicaid Member Services, toll free, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Des Moines area: 515-256-4606.
Source: Medicaid Member Services (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)Checked
Consumer Choices Option (CCO)
- How to apply
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Contact your case manager, service worker or assigned managed care organization (MCO) for help choosing this option.
Source: Consumer Choice Option (CCO) (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)Checked
- Phone
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Iowa Medicaid Member Services, toll free, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Des Moines area: 515-256-4606.
Source: Medicaid Member Services (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)Checked
HCBS Elderly Waiver respite care
- How to apply
-
For help applying for Medicaid, use the Apply for Medicaid page, or find a local HHS office for help in person or over the phone with your HCBS application. Member Services can also help.
Iowa HHS publishes a monthly slot and waitlist dashboard for the waivers.
Source: Home and Community-Based Services (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)Checked
- Phone
-
Iowa Medicaid Member Services, toll free, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Des Moines area: 515-256-4606.
Source: Medicaid Member Services (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)Checked
Sources
How we verify explains these dates.
- Application for 1915(c) HCBS Waiver IA.4155.R07.02, Elderly Waiver, as of Jan 22, 2026, Appendix C-2 (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services; approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) checked
- Consumer Choice Option (CCO) (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services) checked
- Home and Community-Based Services (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services) checked
- Iowa Administrative Code 441, Chapter 83, Division II, HCBS Elderly Waiver Services (IAC 5/27/26, effective 7/1/26) checked
- Iowa Administrative Code 441-78.34, HCBS waiver services, including 78.34(5) respite, 78.34(7) attendant care and 78.34(13) consumer choices option (effective 7/1/26) checked
- Iowa Administrative Code 441-79.10(7), Incorrect payment (effective 7/1/26) checked
- Medicaid Member Services (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services) checked