Maryland home care — a caregiver helping a senior at home

Maryland Community First Choice (CFC) Program | Medicaid Home Care

Maryland’s Community First Choice (CFC) Program allows seniors and individuals with disabilities to receive nursing-level care at home.Eligible family members can provide care and earn income while supporting their loved ones at home.

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What is Community First Choice?

A Medicaid Program for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities.

Community First Choice (CFC) helps you stay in your own home and get help with everyday activities. It is part of the Medicaid program (Medical Assistance).

Do I have to be on a Waiver?

No. You do not have to be on a Medicaid Waiver (like the Home and Community-Based Options Waiver) to get CFC services. While waiver recipients can receive CFC, it is not required. There is no waiting list for CFC services. Even if you were previously told that a registry or waiting list was too long, you should still apply for CFC.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the Community First Choice program, you must meet both financial and medical eligibility criteria for Medical Assistance.

Medical Need

You must require significant assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) to meet the medical necessity criteria:

1

Bathing

2

Eating

3

Dressing

4

Toileting

5

Mobility (walking, using stairs, getting in/out of bed)

Eligibility

FeatureEligible for CFC
Medicaid
Medicaid & Medicare
Medicaid Waiver
Private Insurance Only
Medicare Only
QMB Only
SLMB Only

Your Rights Under CFC

You have the right to have as much control as possible over the care you receive.

Plan of Service

You have the right to develop a plan so you can get personal assistance with life activities, including:

  • Planning and preparing meals
  • Light chores & grocery shopping
  • Traveling & using the phone
  • Managing finances

Choice & Control

You have the right to:

  • Choose your Supports Planning Agency.
  • Choose the person who provides care for you.
  • Decide the schedule for that person.
  • Decide you no longer want someone to care for you.

Additional Services

Medical Equipment

Durable medical equipment and disposable medical supplies.

Home Delivered Meals

Nutritious meals delivered to your door.

Accessibility Adaptations

Modifications to your home to improve safety and access.

How is the Plan Determined?

The process for determining your plan of service.

1

Assessment

A nurse from the local health department evaluates your medical needs. This determines your eligibility and your "personal budget" (how much the State will spend on your care).

2

Planning

A Supports Planner assists you in determining what help you need. They prepare a written "plan of service" based on your budget and needs.

3

Approval

Medicaid staff reviews the assessment and plan. Based on this information, Medicaid will either approve or deny your plan of service.

What if I disagree with a decision?

If your plan of service is denied, or if you disagree with ANY decision about your case made by Medicaid, you have a right to appeal.

Current Recipients: Appeal within 10 days of receiving the denial letter to keep current services in place.

New Applicants: Appeal within 90 days of receiving the denial letter.

Submit appeals in writing to:

Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Services

Attention: Appeals

201 W. Preston St., 1st Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Fax: 410-333-5154

CFC vs Community Options Waiver — Which Is Right for You?

Both programs help Marylanders stay at home, but they work differently. CFC has no waitlist and covers personal care through Medicaid for eligible participants. The Maryland Community Options Waiver serves people at risk of nursing home placement but uses a Service Registry waitlist — currently about 24,015 people statewide. Many families qualify for one or both; we help you compare options in a free 10-minute call.

Not sure which path fits? Compare all Maryland home care programs or call us to walk through eligibility together.

FAQ

CFC is a Maryland Medicaid program that lets seniors and individuals with disabilities receive nursing-level personal care in their own home — rather than a nursing facility — at no cost to the participant.

No. Unlike the Community Options Waiver, CFC is an entitlement program — if you qualify medically and financially through Medicaid, you can begin receiving services immediately with no waitlist.

You must be enrolled in Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance) and require assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, or mobility.

Yes. The CFC Program's self-directed option allows eligible participants to hire a family member, friend, or trusted person to provide care and receive a Medicaid-funded wage for those services.

CFC covers assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, mobility, toileting, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, medication reminders, and transportation to appointments.

Call (667) 400-0648 or submit our online form. We will verify your Medicaid status, request a needs assessment by a local health department nurse, and guide you through your Plan of Service at no charge.

Yes. You have the right under CFC to choose or change your Supports Planning Agency at any time. Switching providers does not affect your approved plan of service or Medicaid eligibility.

Ready to Live Independently?

Get the support you need in your own home.

Call (667) 400-0648
Statewide in Maryland

Counties We Serve

Community First Choice, Community Options Waiver, and Private Pay home care — available in every county below. Select yours to see programs and how we help local families.

24

Counties

Click any to learn more

Not sure which program fits your family? Our advisors serve all 24 counties at no cost.

Call (667) 400-0648