Hi,
I live in Wisconsin, near Madison, which is Dane County. I will try to give you some information, but I am just in the beginning stages of it all myself. (My twin almost 3 yr. old boys were just diagnosed 3 weeks ago). Here is some info I copied from a local site that explains the basics.
"Securing Medicaid funding for the purposes of intensive in-home autism treatment requires two critical components. The first involves applying for Medicaid. The second involves requesting a Medicaid “waiver slot” from the State. Both components are handled by your county autism services coordinator.
If your child is eligible for Medicaid, he or she will receive a Medicaid card which entitles him or her to a range of medically necessary services [LINK to http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm], including physician visits, OT, PT, speech and language, and mental health treatment, to name a few. However, the Medicaid card does not automatically make your child eligible for intensive in-home autism treatment. These services are available through a different funding mechanism, called the Children’s Long Term Services (CLTS) waiver, which serves a fixed number of children with autism per year. Even if your child becomes eligible for Medicaid services, he of she may have to wait until a “slot” becomes available to pay for intensive autism treatment expenses.
To secure Medicaid eligibility and a waiver slot:
Seek a diagnosis for your child’s developmental differences.
If your child has a significant disability (such as autism), you may qualify for Medicaid. A significant disability is a physical, mental, or emotional impairment which seriously limits the ability to carry our basic daily living activities such as self-care, learning, communication, and mobility.
Contact your county autism services coordinator [LINK to http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/bdds/autism/county.htm ] to apply for Medicaid. Although some families will qualify for Medicaid through income-based programs like BadgerCare, families with a disabled child may also qualify for Medicaid based on their child’s need for services.
Research possible autism providers. You must select an in-home autism treatment provider, and the provider must agree to accept your child into their program before the county can request a waiver slot from the state.
Notify your county human services department that you have selected a provider, and ask them to submit a request to the state for a waiver slot.
If Medicaid is approved and a waiver slot is secured for your child, the county will notify both you and your provider. Autism treatment services can begin shortly thereafter."
I read somewhere else that sometimes people have to wait up to 6 months for a slot to become available. In an earlier correspondence Lillyfires25 told me that she didn't have to wait very long, just 2-3 months, I believe. She is in a different of Wisconsin than I am, but I don't know if that makes a difference. If you are approved in the Madison area, there are 2 different ABA providers to choose from-Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) and Integrated Development Services (IDS). from what I understand both come to your home to provide intensive therapy for 35 hours per week. My sons' pediatrician says that the Madison Wisconsin area is one of the best for Autism services and that she has heard that quite a few people have moved here just to get these services. I don't know how long you have to live in the state to qualify. There is a center in Madison called the Waisman Center that is supposed to have some programs too. I am planning on calling them on Monday to see what services they provide.
Good luck in your search! Karen
