Ma-Lowe Home Care Agency, Inc.

Medicaid home care in Virginia

A Medicaid card alone does not start home care. Here is what happens, step by step.

Virginia Medicaid is now called Cardinal Care. The rules can be confusing, so here is what has to happen before personal care at home can start, and what you can do today.

Four things families often hear

  • "We have a Medicaid card, so care can start." Not yet. Personal care at home also needs a long-term care screening (the LTSS screening) and approval for long-term care Medicaid.
  • "Medicare will pay for it." Medicare does not pay for long-term personal care at home when that is the only care you need.
  • "The health plan picks the agency." You can choose your provider within your health plan's network. You can ask for Ma-Lowe by name.
  • "There is a long waiting list." Not for this program. Virginia says the CCC Plus Waiver, the Medicaid program that pays for personal care at home, has no waiting list (checked September 2026).

Five steps to care at home

  1. Medicaid

    Already have Virginia Medicaid? Go to step 2. If not, apply online at CommonHelp, call Cover Virginia at 1-833-522-5582, or apply at your local Department of Social Services. Most applications are decided within 45 days, or 90 days when a disability decision is needed.

  2. The long-term care screening

    Ask your local Department of Social Services for an LTSS screening. In the hospital? Then the hospital does the screening, and it has to be finished before you go home.

  3. Your health plan

    After approval, your Cardinal Care health plan gives you a care coordinator. Tell them you would like Ma-Lowe.

  4. Our nurse visits your home

    A free assessment. Our nurse writes a plan of care with you, and your health plan approves the hours.

  5. Care starts

    We match a caregiver. Our nurse visits again every 30 to 90 days.

Where to ask for the screening

  • Alexandria: Division of Aging and Adult Services, 703-746-5999
  • Arlington: Aging and Disability Resource Center, 703-228-1700
  • Fairfax: Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources, 703-324-7948 (TTY 711)

Agency-directed or consumer-directed?

You can choose agency-directed care, consumer-directed care, or both.

  • Agency-directed (what Ma-Lowe does). We hire, train, schedule and supervise the caregiver. If a caregiver is sick, we arrange a replacement, and our nurse checks on the care. You do not have to be an employer.
  • Consumer-directed. You, or someone acting for you, hire and manage your own attendant, with help from a Services Facilitator. You take on the paperwork of an employer.

Is there a cost?

Some members pay part of the cost each month (patient pay), depending on their income. Your local Department of Social Services sets the amount.

Respite care

Respite gives a family caregiver a break. The CCC Plus Waiver covers up to 480 hours of respite per state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).

Already have care with another agency?

You can change agencies. Talk to your care coordinator, or call us at 703-370-4002. We help you with the transfer.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: DMAS, CCC Plus Waiver, DMAS, waivers, DMAS, consumer-directed services, Code of Virginia 32.1-330, 12VAC30-120-920, applying for Medicaid and medicare.gov.

Contact us

Questions about care for a loved one, or about joining our team? We are happy to help.

703-370-4002

Our phone is answered 24 hours a day. A request sent in the evening or on the weekend is first on our list when the office opens.

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