CADI Waiver in Minnesota: A Complete Guide for Families and Case Managers

The Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver is one of Minnesota’s most important Medicaid programs for adults with physical disabilities. If your loved one — or your client — needs assisted living care but can’t afford to pay out of pocket, the CADI Waiver may be the answer.

This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what’s covered, how to apply, and how the waiver pays for assisted living.

What Is the CADI Waiver?

The CADI Waiver is a Minnesota Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program. It provides funding for supportive services that allow people with physical disabilities to live in a community setting — including assisted living — rather than in a nursing facility.

“Community” here means anywhere that isn’t a nursing facility or hospital: your own home, a family member’s home, or a licensed assisted living home like WeDoCare.

Who Qualifies for the CADI Waiver?

To be eligible for the CADI Waiver in Minnesota, a person must meet all of the following criteria:

• Age: 18–64 years old (age 65+ would typically fall under the Elderly Waiver)
• Disability: Have a physical disability — this includes mobility limitations, neurological conditions, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other conditions
• Level of care: Meet the criteria for nursing facility level of care (determined through a functional assessment)
• Medicaid eligibility: Be enrolled in or eligible for Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
• Not currently in a nursing facility (or choosing to leave one)

The “nursing facility level of care” requirement doesn’t mean the person needs to be in a nursing home — it means their care needs are significant enough that they could qualify for one, but they’re choosing a less restrictive community setting instead.

What Services Does the CADI Waiver Cover?

The CADI Waiver can fund a wide range of services, including:

• Personal care assistance (PCA) — help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility
• Home health aide services
• Adult day services
• Assistive technology
• Environmental modifications (ramps, grab bars, lift equipment)
• Supported living services in an assisted living setting
• Residential supports at a licensed facility
• Transportation
• Behavioral supports

When a CADI Waiver recipient lives in a licensed assisted living facility, the waiver typically covers the care services (personal care, medication management, supervision). Room costs (rent) are covered separately through Housing Support (Group Residential Housing / GRH), which runs approximately $1,187/month.

How to Apply for the CADI Waiver

The CADI Waiver application process in Minnesota involves several steps:

1. Contact your county’s Social Services — or a Managed Care Organization (MCO) if you’re already enrolled in Medical Assistance. Request a CADI Waiver screening.

2. Complete a functional assessment — A nurse or social worker will assess the person’s functional abilities (ADLs, cognitive status, medical needs) to determine if they meet the level-of-care criteria.

3. Determine Medicaid eligibility — If not already enrolled, apply for Medical Assistance at your county.

4. Get assigned a case manager — Once approved, the person is assigned a case manager who will coordinate services and authorize the care plan.

5. Choose providers — Work with your case manager to choose an assisted living provider approved to accept CADI Waiver residents.

6. Develop a person-centered care plan — The case manager and care team develop an individualized plan that outlines all authorized services.

Is There a Waitlist?

Unfortunately, yes. Minnesota’s CADI Waiver has historically had a waitlist, though the length varies. People on the waitlist may be eligible for Alternative Care (AC) or other bridge services in the meantime.

Working with a county case manager or disability services coordinator is the best way to get on the waitlist as quickly as possible and explore interim options.

CADI Waiver and Assisted Living: How It Works in Practice

When a CADI Waiver recipient moves into a licensed assisted living facility:

1. The facility bills the waiver (through the MCO or DHS) for authorized care services
2. The resident’s Housing Support / GRH benefit covers room costs
3. The resident may have a small monthly personal needs allowance

The care plan — developed with the case manager — outlines exactly what services are authorized and at what frequency. The facility documents care delivery and bills accordingly.

For families, the most important thing is to start the process early. Assessment, approval, and care planning can take time — and in the meantime, your loved one still needs care.

Working with MCOs on CADI Placements

Most CADI Waiver recipients in Minnesota are enrolled in a Managed Care Organization (MCO) such as:

• Medica
• UCare
• Blue Plus
• South Country Health Alliance
• Hennepin Health (for Hennepin County residents)

The MCO’s care coordinator plays a central role in authorizing services and placing residents. If you’re a case manager or discharge planner working on a CADI placement, contacting the MCO care coordinator early in the process speeds things up significantly.

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WeDoCare is a licensed assisted living provider in Bloomington, MN accepting CADI Waiver residents. We work directly with county case managers and MCO coordinators. If you have a client or loved one who needs placement, contact us or call (952) 600-2780 — we respond within 24 hours.