What Services Does the Minnesota CADI Waiver Pay For?
Minnesota’s Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) waiver can help eligible people with disabilities receive support at home and in the community instead of in a nursing facility. The waiver may pay for services such as in-home assistance, respite, home modifications, employment support, and specialized equipment. What a person can receive depends on assessed needs, program rules, and an approved support plan. Knowing which services may be covered—and which costs generally are not—can help people and families plan more effectively.
What the CADI Waiver Covers
CADI is a Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) home and community-based services waiver. It is designed for people who meet the state’s nursing-facility level-of-care criteria and need supports to live in the community. Instead of paying for every service a participant requests, the program funds approved services that address assessed needs and fit the person’s individualized plan.
The waiver can pay for certain services that are not ordinarily available through standard Medical Assistance, as well as some services that complement state-plan benefits. A service must meet the state’s definition, be medically or functionally appropriate when required, and be authorized before it is delivered. Approval is not automatic just because a service appears on the CADI list.
Service availability and limits can change, and details depend on the participant’s circumstances. Minnesota’s Department of Human Services (DHS) maintains the current CADI waiver information and service guidance.
Common CADI Waiver Services
The following services are among those that may be available under CADI. A person’s case manager can explain which options fit the approved plan and whether a specific provider or service meets program requirements.
Case management
CADI case management helps coordinate planning and services. A case manager works with the participant and others the participant chooses to assess needs, develop or update the support plan, arrange approved services, and monitor whether those services are meeting goals. Case management is distinct from hands-on daily care.
In-home and community support
Depending on the person’s needs and the service definition, CADI may fund supports that help with daily routines, household activities, community participation, or skill development. Examples can include individualized home supports, homemaker services, chore services, and adult companion services. These services are not interchangeable: each has specific rules about what a worker may do and where support can be provided.
Some services focus on building or maintaining independence rather than simply completing tasks for someone. The plan may specify the type of support, how often it is needed, and the outcomes it is intended to help achieve.
Respite and caregiver-related support
Respite provides temporary relief for a person’s usual caregiver by arranging short-term support for the participant. It may be delivered in an approved setting or through an eligible provider, subject to program rules and authorization. Respite is intended to support the participant’s care arrangement; it is not an unrestricted payment to family members.
Caregiver training may also be available when it helps caregivers support the participant’s assessed needs. The training must meet waiver requirements and be included in the plan where required. The case manager can clarify which caregiver-related expenses qualify and what documentation is needed.
Day services and community participation
Depending on eligibility and assessed needs, CADI may cover certain day services, such as adult day services or structured day programs. These can provide supervision, activities, social opportunities, and support with personal or functional needs. Program details vary, and the plan must identify why the service is appropriate.
Transportation connected to a covered service may be addressed under applicable program rules, but that does not mean every ride, vehicle expense, or commuting cost is covered. Medical transportation and other transportation benefits may be handled through separate Medical Assistance provisions.
Employment and skill-building services
CADI may support employment-related services, including certain employment exploration, job-development, job-support, or skill-building services when the person and service meet program criteria. The aim is to help participants pursue meaningful work and greater independence. Waiver employment supports generally must coordinate with other vocational programs and cannot duplicate services another program is responsible for providing.
Eligibility and authorization depend on the specific employment service. A case manager can help determine whether a service is covered by CADI, another Medical Assistance benefit, or a separate employment program.
Home modifications and assistive technology
Environmental accessibility adaptations can make a participant’s home safer or easier to use. Depending on approval, examples may include changes to entrances, bathrooms, or other areas needed for access. Modifications must meet the waiver’s requirements, relate to the person’s disability-related needs, and receive authorization before work begins.
Assistive technology and specialized equipment may also be considered when they help a participant function more safely or independently. Depending on the item and circumstances, coverage may be available through CADI or another Medical Assistance benefit. Buying equipment first can put the participant at financial risk if the item is not approved.
Safety, behavioral, and specialized supports
Some participants may qualify for supports such as behavioral services, personal emergency response systems, night supervision, or 24-hour emergency assistance. These services address particular support or safety needs; they are not standard benefits for every CADI participant. The plan and service authorization must establish that the service is appropriate and meets the program’s definition.
CADI may also cover certain specialized supplies or other services listed in state waiver guidance. The precise service name matters because related items may be covered under different rules—or may not be covered at all.
Residential and living supports
For people who need a supported living arrangement, CADI may cover eligible residential or related supports, including certain services delivered in approved settings. The waiver pays for authorized services, not necessarily all costs associated with housing. Rent, food, and other living expenses may be treated differently from service costs and may not be payable as waiver benefits.
Customized living and other residential options have specific eligibility, provider, and service requirements. A person should ask how the proposed arrangement is funded and which costs are the participant’s responsibility before agreeing to move or sign a contract.
Consumer Directed Community Supports
Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) is an option that gives eligible participants more control over arranging certain supports within an approved budget. The participant or a representative may have more responsibility for managing services, workers, and spending. CDCS does not eliminate waiver rules: purchases must be allowed, connected to the person’s needs and goals, and included in an approved plan.
Not every expense is permitted under CDCS. General household costs, items available through other benefits, or purchases that do not meet program criteria may be denied. Participants should confirm allowable spending with their case manager or financial management service before making a purchase.
What the CADI Waiver Generally Does Not Pay For
CADI is not a general cash benefit or a flexible fund for any disability-related expense. The waiver generally does not pay for services that are not authorized, are outside the state’s service definitions, or duplicate another payer’s responsibility. It also does not automatically cover ordinary living costs, such as rent, groceries, or personal purchases, merely because the participant has a disability.
Medical care, prescriptions, and other health services may be covered through Medical Assistance or another insurance benefit rather than the waiver. A person should check which program is responsible before assuming CADI will pay. If a service is denied or limited, the notice should explain the decision and information about appeal rights.
How Service Approval and Payment Work
The usual process begins with an assessment and person-centered planning. A case manager discusses the participant’s needs, preferences, strengths, and goals. The plan identifies the services that are appropriate, the amount or frequency requested, and the intended outcomes. The county or tribal agency then follows applicable authorization procedures.
Providers must meet relevant licensing, enrollment, and service requirements. In many cases, the waiver pays an approved provider after authorized services are delivered and billed correctly. The participant typically cannot assume that a provider’s promise of coverage is equivalent to formal authorization.
- Discuss the need. Explain what support is needed, when it is needed, and how it relates to daily life or an individual goal.
- Confirm the service category. Ask whether the need fits a CADI service definition or another Medical Assistance benefit.
- Get the plan and authorization details. Confirm the approved provider, service amount, start date, and any limits in writing.
- Keep records. Save notices, service plans, receipts when relevant, and communications about approvals or changes.
Limits, Budgets, and Participant Costs
CADI services are based on assessed need, not a fixed package available to everyone. A participant’s approved services may change as needs, goals, or circumstances change. The waiver also operates under state and federal requirements, and some services have specific caps, provider rules, or documentation standards.
Participants should ask whether a service has a limit, whether Medical Assistance or private insurance must be billed first, and whether any cost-sharing applies. They should also clarify whether a requested service can be combined with other supports. A case manager can explain how the approved plan fits the participant’s overall budget and program rules.
How to Find the Current CADI Service List
Because service definitions and procedures can be revised, the most reliable source is Minnesota DHS and the participant’s county or tribal case manager. The state’s CADI waiver page describes the program, while DHS waiver policy materials provide more detailed service requirements. Federal Medicaid rules also govern home and community-based services; information is available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
When asking about a service, it helps to use its exact name and describe the task or outcome it would support. Questions such as “Is this covered under CADI or another benefit?”, “Does it need prior authorization?”, and “What provider qualifications apply?” can help prevent confusion and unexpected bills.
Key Takeaway
The CADI waiver may pay for a broad range of approved supports, including case management, in-home assistance, respite, day and employment services, home accessibility adaptations, equipment, and certain residential or safety supports. Coverage depends on the participant’s assessed needs, the service’s rules, and authorization in the support plan. Before starting a service or buying equipment, participants should confirm the funding source and approval with their case manager or the responsible agency.