Medicaid’s Home Care Support for Family Caregivers in 2025
Article Publication Date
Summary
KFF recently released an issue brief describing the availability of self-directed services and supports for family caregivers in Medicaid home care. This brief was developed using data from the 23rd KFF survey of officials administering Medicaid home care programs.
All states that responded to the survey pay family caregivers through one or more Medicaid home care programs. Payments for family caregivers are most common under waivers for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Supports for family caregivers, both paid and unpaid, are also common; all responding states provide at least one type of family caregiving support, including respite care, caregiver training, and/or caregiver support groups.
Forty-nine states allow Medicaid enrollees to self-direct their home care in at least some circumstances. Among states that authorize self-direction, all states allow enrollees to select, dismiss, and train workers (referred to as “employer authority”).
All states that responded to the survey pay family caregivers through one or more Medicaid home care programs. Payments for family caregivers are most common under waivers for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Supports for family caregivers, both paid and unpaid, are also common; all responding states provide at least one type of family caregiving support, including respite care, caregiver training, and/or caregiver support groups.
Forty-nine states allow Medicaid enrollees to self-direct their home care in at least some circumstances. Among states that authorize self-direction, all states allow enrollees to select, dismiss, and train workers (referred to as “employer authority”).