What is the Massachusetts Autism Waiver Program?

Autism Waiver Program:
The Office of Medicaid and the Department of Mental Retardation's Autism Division have received approval from the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement an autism services program and receive federal matching funds for Medicaid eligible children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  This three year model program is called the Children's Autism Spectrum Disorders Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program.  Waiver services are supplemental to special education services provided under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.)

Program Highlights:
This Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Program is a Medicaid program designed to provide services to help children with autism to remain in their homes and actively participate in their families and in their communities.  This Waiver Program is designed to provide one-to-one behavioral, social and communication based interventions through a service called Expanded Habilitation, Education.  The waiver will also provide related support services such as community integration activities and respite.  The waiver will serve up to 80 children under the age of 9, with an autism spectrum disorder, who meet the eligibility criteria for the Waiver Program.

Families, agencies, and individual providers can access information by downloading the  forms below.  Please contact Community Resources for People with Autism (413/529-2428) if you have any questions or concerns.

For Families:

Autism Waiver--Update 12/2007 (English)

Actualidades del Programa de Exención de Autismo: Diciembre de 2007

Autism Waiver Forms:
(The Request Form and Family Notice documents below have been formatted into multiple languages.  Simply click the link that applies to download your form.)

- Autism Waiver Program Application for Children (Autism Waiver Program Eligibility Request Form (PDF)

     English
     Chinese
     Creole
     Khmer
     Portuguese
     Russian
     Spanish
     Vietnamese

- Autism Waiver Program Family Notice (PDF)

     English
     Chinese
     Creole
     Khmer
     Portuguese
     Russian
     Spanish
     Vietnamese

For Individual and Agency Providers:

Autism Waiver Program Overview

Service Provider Overview flyer

How to Qualify as Autism Providers

Individual Provider Application

Agency Provider Application