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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.

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Respite program

HCBS Elderly Waiver respite care

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Who qualifies

HCBS Elderly Waiver members (65 or older, needing an intermediate or skilled level of care). Respite gives the usual caregiver temporary relief while providing all the care that caregiver would provide, so the member can stay in their current living situation. Up to 14 consecutive days of 24-hour respite can be paid.

Respite is not provided during the hours the usual caregiver is at work, and it cannot be provided when the usual caregiver is the member's paid attendant care provider.

Source: 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

How to apply

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

1-800-338-8366

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

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