Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver Program (New York State)
The Health Homes Medicaid Waiver Program, formerly known as the Katie Beckett Waiver, was created from the powerful story of a child and a family who simply wanted what every family wants—the ability to care for their child at home.
In the early 1980s, Katie Beckett was a young child who depended on a ventilator and lived in a hospital. Although she was medically stable and able to return home, she was forced to remain hospitalized—not because of her medical needs, but because Medicaid regulations at the time would no longer provide coverage if her care took place at home.
Medicaid would continue to cover the extremely high costs of hospitalization, yet would not fund in-home care—even though caring for Katie at home would have been significantly less expensive and far better for her quality of life.
Through tireless advocacy and the support of local, state, and federal representatives, the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver Program was established. This groundbreaking program allows families whose income exceeds traditional Medicaid limits to receive Medicaid assistance for their medically fragile and/or special needs child. In New York State, the program is now known as the Health Homes Medicaid Waiver Program.
The Health Homes Program exists to ensure that children with complex medical needs can receive Medicaid-funded services while living safely at home, surrounded by family, comfort, and stability.
Case Management: The Heart of the Health Homes Program
The only service mandated under the Health Homes Program is Case Management, making it the foundation of the program—and the heart of what we do at Compass Case Management.
We partner with families throughout the entire Health Homes process, beginning with the application and eligibility phase. Our experienced Case Managers guide families step by step, helping them navigate requirements, documentation, and program acceptance. Once a child is enrolled, we continue to advocate for the services your child needs to thrive at home.
Compass Case Management works closely with families to coordinate and monitor in-home services such as nursing care, therapies, and medical supports. Through monthly in-home visits, our Case Managers ensure services are appropriate, effective, and continuously aligned with your child’s medical and developmental needs.
We understand that caring for a medically fragile or special needs child can feel overwhelming. Our role is to reduce that burden—offering guidance, advocacy, and consistent support so families never feel alone.
Our mission is simple: to support families, protect children, and ensure every child receives the highest level of care possible—right where they belong, at home.
