Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: The HCBA waiver is a Medi-Cal program for care at home instead of a nursing home. In Santa Clara County, Libertana Home Health runs it. It can pay for nursing, a home health aide, personal care and care management. It can also pay for respite, a break for family caregivers. There is a long waitlist.
Who runs it: DHCS waiver agency

What the program may consider

Full-scope Medi-Cal
At least nursing-facility level of care
You want services where you live in the community
Waiver capacity or waitlist position

How to get it

The HCBA waiver is a Medi-Cal program for care at home instead of a nursing home. In Santa Clara County, Libertana Home Health runs it. It can pay for nursing, a home health aide, personal care and care management. It can also pay for respite, a break for family caregivers. There is a long waitlist.

Before you start

You need this first Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. You need full Medi-Cal before services start. The county can decide it under the waiver's own rules. These rules can help if you are married, or would have a share of cost. A share of cost is an amount you pay each month before Medi-Cal pays.

How to apply

HCBA waiver application to Libertana Home Health

Libertana Home Health is the HCBA waiver agency for Santa Clara County.

FaxLibertana Home Health secure fax: (818) 788-7824
EmailLibertana Home Health email: info@libertana.com
MailLibertana Home Health mail: 5805 Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 605, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411
PhoneState Medi-Cal office, home and community care line: (916) 552-9105Questions about the HCBA waiver and California Community Transitions.
PhoneLibertana Home Health: (818) 902-5000Runs the HCBA waiver for Santa Clara County. Also helps people move out of facilities.

Getting help

Someone can apply for you

Anyone can fill out and send the application for you, with your OK. That includes family, friends, doctors, hospitals and community groups. The form asks if you were told about it. Later, you choose care at home instead of a nursing home. If you cannot, a person with legal power to act for you can choose.

Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.

What happens after you apply

Libertana checks the medical needs on your application. Then it puts you on the state waitlist.
The program or provider
You wait for an opening. People who have lived in a nursing home or similar place for 60 days or more go first. So do people under 21, and people whose current program can no longer meet their needs. The state has set aside money to clear the waitlist. How fast that will happen is not known.
The stateFor people living at home, often more than a year.
When a spot opens, Libertana meets with you. A nurse and a social worker look at your care needs.
The program or providerOnly you can do thisUp to about 2 months after a spot opens.
You choose care at home instead of a nursing home. A legal representative can choose for you.
YouA helper can help with this
Libertana asks the county's Medi-Cal office to check your Medi-Cal under the waiver's rules. Send the county any papers it asks for. The county mails you its decision.
The countyA helper can help with this
Libertana finds your care providers and writes a care plan with you. Then the state approves it.
The stateA helper can help with thisUp to about 3 months after you qualify.
Your waiver services and care management start.
The program or providerOnly you can do this

What only you can do

Agree to the application being sent for you.
Meet with the waiver agency's nurse and social worker.
Choose care at home, and agree to your care plan. A legal representative can do this for you.
Send the county any Medi-Cal papers it asks for. Report changes within 10 days.
While you wait, you can ask your Medi-Cal health plan about Enhanced Care Management (ECM).

How long it takes: For people living at home, often more than a year on the waitlist. After a spot opens, it takes a few more months to start services.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when your services have started. By then the state has approved your care plan and the county has approved your Medi-Cal.
To keep it: Each year, the waiver agency checks your medical needs again, and you renew Medi-Cal. Report changes within 10 days. Keep your care plan up to date.

Can’t be combined with

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP). You cannot be in the HCBA waiver and MSSP at the same time.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). You cannot be in the HCBA waiver and PACE at the same time.
Assisted Living Waiver (ALW). You can be in only one Medi-Cal waiver program at a time.
Enhanced Care Management. You cannot get Enhanced Care Management (ECM) while in the waiver. ECM can help while you are on the waitlist. When a spot opens, you choose one.

Coming changes

Starting July 1, 2027: Starting July 1, 2027, the Medi-Cal savings limit drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for a couple. Today it is $130,000 and $195,000. Special rules may help if you are married. You need Medi-Cal to stay in the waiver.
Starting January 1, 2028: Starting January 1, 2028, Medi-Cal long-term care has a $1,000,000 limit on home equity. Home equity is your home's value minus what you owe on it.