NHTD Waiver in New York: Who Qualifies, What’s Covered, and How to Apply

Many families in New York are unaware that a specific Medicaid program exists for adults with physical disabilities and traumatic brain injury who want to remain at home — or return home from a nursing facility. That program is the NHTD Waiver, and it covers a range of services that standard Medicaid home care does not.

What Is the NHTD Waiver?

The Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) Medicaid Waiver is a New York State program designed for two groups of people:

• Adults who are currently living in nursing homes and want to return to the community
• Adults who are at risk of nursing home placement and want to remain at home

The waiver covers services beyond what standard Medicaid pays for — including home modifications, assistive technology, community integration support, and coordinated service planning. It is specifically for adults with physical disabilities, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is not for intellectual or developmental disabilities (that’s a separate program) and it is not exclusively for seniors.

Who Qualifies

To be eligible for the NHTD Waiver in New York, an individual must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a physical disability or traumatic brain injury that requires nursing-home level of care
• Be currently enrolled in Medicaid or be in the process of enrolling
• Choose to live in the community (home, family home, or supported apartment) rather than a nursing facility
• Be able to direct their own care or have someone assist them in doing so

Adults who were injured in accidents, who have degenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy, or who sustained a TBI from any cause frequently qualify — and many are not aware the program exists.

What the NHTD Waiver Covers

The NHTD Waiver funds services that standard Medicaid home care does not typically include:

• Service coordination — a dedicated coordinator manages the care plan, schedules services, and advocates for the individual
• Home modification — ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, and other physical changes that make the home accessible and safe
• Assistive technology — communication devices, mobility equipment, environmental control systems
• Community integration counseling — support for transitioning from a facility back to community life
• Independent living skills training — building daily living skills for greater self-sufficiency
• Personal care and home health aide services — direct in-home support

The specific services authorized depend on the individual’s assessed needs and their Individual Service Plan.

How to Apply

1. Contact a NHTD service coordinator — The application process begins with a service coordinator who will assess your situation and guide you through the steps. Priority Cares has NHTD service coordinators in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and surrounding boroughs.

2. Medicaid enrollment — If not already enrolled, Medicaid eligibility must be established before the waiver application proceeds.

3. Functional assessment — A clinical assessment determines whether the individual meets nursing-home level of care criteria.

4. Individual Service Plan development — Working with the service coordinator, an individualized plan is developed that outlines what services are needed and how they will be delivered.

5. Waiver slot assignment — NHTD operates with a limited number of available slots; a service coordinator can advise on current availability in your area.

Priority Cares Home & Senior Services provides NHTD service coordination in Brooklyn and the Bronx. If you or a family member may qualify, contact us for a free consultation at prioritycareshs.com or call (718) 600-6853.