Community Alternatives Program - North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance

Division of Medical Assistance
Providing access to high quality, medically necessary health care for eligible North Carolina residents through cost effective purchasing of health care services and products.

Community Alternatives Program

North Carolina operates four programs to provide home and community care as a cost-effective alternative to institutionalization. These are known as "waiver" programs because standard program requirements are waived to allow the program to operate. The waiver programs provide some services that otherwise are not covered under Medicaid.

CAP/DA Program:

The Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) provides a package of services to allow adults (age 18 and older) who qualify for nursing facility care to remain in their private residences. The program is available in all North Carolina counties. The program paid for services to 13,620 people in SFY 2005. The program contributed to the quality of the participants and their families/caregivers, while providing care that was cost-effective in comparison to the Medicaid cost for nursing facility care.

CAP-MR/DD:

The Community Alternatives Program for Persons with Mental Retardation or Developmental Disabilities (CAP-MR/DD) provides community services to individuals of any age who qualify for care in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (ICF-MR). The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services manages the daily operation of the program under an agreement with DMA. The program is available statewide through local area mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse programs. CAP-MR/DD is currently serving approximately 9,200 people for SFY 2006 and offers an alternative to institutionalization.

CAP/C:

The Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C) provides cost-effective home care for medically fragile children (through age 18) who would otherwise require long-term hospital care or nursing facility care. The program paid for services to 800 people in SFY 2006. The program contributed to the quality of life for the children and their families/caregivers, while providing care that was cost-effective in comparison to the Medicaid cost for institutional care.

CAP/AIDS:

Effective with date of service December 31, 2006, N.C. Medicaid will terminate the Community Alternatives Program for Persons with AIDS (CAP/AIDS) Waiver Program. More information is available in the December 2006 General Bulletin article Termination of Community Alternatives Program for Persons with AIDS.