If you or someone you love lives in Autauga, Elmore or Montgomery Counties — whether in Prattville, Montgomery, Wetumpka, Autaugaville, Billingsley, Tallassee, or another local town — and needs help staying at home safely, the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver through the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC) could be a lifeline.
This program provides home and community-based care at zero cost for people who qualify. That means no out-of-pocket monthly costs for the services covered under this program — an important point for families seeking support without financial stress.
What Is the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver?
The Medicaid Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver is a program funded by Alabama Medicaid and offered locally through agencies like CAAC. It’s part of what’s called home and community-based services (HCBS), designed to:
- Help older adults and people with disabilities stay in their own homes or community settings instead of needing a nursing facility.
- Allow people to live more independently, with dignity and safety.
Who Is Eligible for This Waiver?
To qualify for the E&D Waiver in the tri-county area, you must meet both financial and medical criteria:
🧾 Financial Eligibility (“Zero Cost” Help)
- Applicants must be eligible for full Medicaid benefits — meaning income and assets are within Medicaid limits.
- For many people, meeting the E&D waiver financial rules means no cost for services you receive through the program.
🩺 Medical Eligibility
- You must have a level of disability or physical need similar to what would normally qualify you for a nursing home.
- A doctor or health professional will assess your needs and confirm that you require help with daily living tasks or care planning to stay safe at home.
Services You Can Get Through the Waiver
Once approved, the E&D Waiver connects you to a range of services based on your needs, not your ability to pay. CAAC works with you or your caregiver to build a care plan. Possible services include:
🏠 Home-Based Support Services
These help you with everyday life and staying safe:
- Homemaker Services – Assistance with light housekeeping, laundry, meal prep, and keeping your home safe.
- Personal Care – Help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility.
- Companion Services – Friendly support and supervision when family isn’t available.
- Respite Care – Temporary relief for family caregivers so they can rest or take care of personal needs.
📋 Care Planning and Coordination
- Case Management – A trained professional helps you plan your services, connects you to resources, and keeps everything coordinated.
🍽 Meals and Nutrition For Those who Qualify
- Home-Delivered Meals – Nutritious meals delivered to your home if you can’t prepare them yourself.
🧠 Social and Community Options
- Adult Day Health or Social Activities – If available in your area, these provide social engagement and support outside the home.
🩹 Other Supports
- Assistive Technology / Medical Supplies – Tools and equipment that help you stay safe and comfortable.
- Home Modifications – Adjustments like grab bars or wheelchair ramps that make daily life easier.
- Pest Control Services – Sometimes covered when medically necessary.
- Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) – An in-home alert system in case of falls or emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Help Paying for Expensive Medicines in Autauga, Elmore, or Montgomery Counties
Where can I get help paying for expensive prescriptions in Central Alabama?
Alabama has a program called SenioRx which helps offset the cost of certain medications. In Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery Counties, Central Alabama Aging Consortium runs the SenioRx program.
Eligible residents of those three counties — no matter where they live in those counties — can receive help from SenioRx. Many people are not aware that they may qualify for the SenioRx program even if they live outside the larger towns or cities.
Who can get help from the SenioRx program? Is there an income requirement?
There is both an income qualification and an age requirement. Income eligibility depends on many factors, so it is best discussed directly with the SenioRx Coordinator.
SenioRx does not cover medications for children under the age of 18. You must be 18 years old or older to qualify for the program. If you are 18 years old, you must be deemed disabled by Social Security.
Applicants over the age of 18 are screened by the SenioRx Coordinator for discounts and assistance programs for which they may qualify.
How does my loved one or I qualify for the SenioRx program?
In general, qualifying for the SenioRx program depends on the following:
- You must be disabled or have a chronic illness.
- Your doctor must have prescribed the medication for your chronic illness or disability.
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must meet income qualifications.
- You must be insured or underinsured.
Even if you are not sure whether you qualify, we strongly encourage residents of Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery Counties to apply for the program. Remember, you can live anywhere in those counties — from cities, to small towns, to the most rural areas.
How do I find out if I meet the qualifications and apply?
- Contact Central Alabama Aging Consortium and speak with a Resource Specialist in the Intake Department. An initial screening will take place during this step.
- If you are referred to the SenioRx program for further screening, the SenioRx Coordinator will contact you.
- You will need to provide ALL requested information to the coordinator. This may include:
- Medical records
- Proof of prescriptions signed by your doctor
- Proof of income
- Other required documentation
Without all requested information, the SenioRx Coordinator cannot move your application forward.
How do I contact Central Alabama Aging Consortium and the Intake Department?
- Call Us: 334-240-4680 and ask for the Intake Department
- Email Us: caac.adrc@caac-al.org
- Visit Our Website: CAAC Website
Scroll down to the Intake Form, complete it fully, and submit it online.
