Resources & Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about IDD case management, the NC Innovations Waiver, 1915(i) services, and how Covenant Case Management Services supports individuals, families, and referral partners across North Carolina.
IDD Case Management
Case management for individuals with IDD is a person-centered service that helps individuals and families identify, coordinate, and access the supports they need to live full, meaningful lives in their communities.
A case manager works alongside the individual and their support network to develop an Individual Support Plan (ISP), connect them to services such as housing supports, employment, day programs, and healthcare, and advocate for their rights and goals.
In North Carolina, IDD case management is authorized through Tailored Plans managed by LME/MCOs and includes coordination of both Innovations Waiver and 1915(i) services.
CCMS provides comprehensive IDD case management across North Carolina. Our services include:
- Individual Support Plan (ISP) development and ongoing monitoring
- Coordination of Medicaid, waiver, and community services
- Advocacy and rights protection
- Referral coordination and provider linkage
- Crisis support planning
- Transition support — school to adult services
- Connection to community resources and natural supports
We support individuals enrolled in the NC Innovations Waiver and those receiving NC Medicaid 1915(i) services.
An Individual Support Plan (ISP) is the foundational document guiding all services and supports for a person with IDD. It is developed through a person-centered planning process that centers the individual's preferences, goals, strengths, and needs.
The ISP outlines what services will be provided, by whom, how often, and toward what outcomes. CCMS case managers work directly with individuals, families, and service providers to develop, implement, monitor, and update the ISP on a regular basis.
Tailored Plans are fully capitated managed care health plans serving individuals with significant mental health, IDD, or traumatic brain injury (TBI) needs. They are operated by Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs).
North Carolina's current Tailored Plans include Alliance Health, Eastpointe, Partners Behavioral Health, Sandhills Center, Trillium Health Resources, and Vaya Health. Each serves a defined geographic catchment area.
Tailored Plans authorize and manage all NC Medicaid State Plan services, Innovations Waiver services, and 1915(i) services for their enrolled members. CCMS works directly with all Tailored Plans to coordinate services for the individuals we support.
NC Innovations Waiver
The NC Innovations Waiver is a 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver for individuals of all ages with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) who would otherwise require care in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID).
The current waiver was renewed effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029. It is administered through NC Medicaid Tailored Plans (LME/MCOs) and provides a continuum of habilitative and long-term community supports.
To qualify for the NC Innovations Waiver, an individual must meet all of the following:
- Have a diagnosis of intellectual disability or a closely related condition (such as autism, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy with related functional limitations)
- Be enrolled in NC Medicaid
- Meet ICF-IID level of care criteria — a significant level of support need
- Be enrolled with an NC Medicaid Tailored Plan in their county
There is currently a waitlist for available waiver slots. Waitlist placement does not prevent individuals from accessing NC Medicaid 1915(i) services in the meantime.
The NC Innovations Waiver covers a wide range of home and community-based services, including:
- Community Living Supports — including remote supports (added in the 2024 renewal)
- Supported Living
- Day Supports
- Supported Employment — Pre-employment, Employment Stabilization, and Long-term Employment phases
- Community Networking
- Respite
- Assistive Technology
- Home Modifications
- Crisis Services
- Individual Goods and Services
Service availability depends on each individual's assessed needs and services authorized in their approved ISP.
The NC Innovations Waiver has a limited number of enrollment slots. When slots are filled, eligible individuals are placed on a county-level waitlist. Individuals who have been waiting the longest are generally served first when a slot becomes available.
Slots open when a current enrollee no longer needs waiver services or when the state allocates new funding. There is no guaranteed timeline, and wait times vary by county.
NC Medicaid 1915(i) Services
NC Medicaid 1915(i) services are home and community-based Medicaid services that support individuals with IDD, behavioral health needs, or traumatic brain injury (TBI) who have NC Medicaid. They are delivered through NC Medicaid Tailored Plans.
Unlike the Innovations Waiver, 1915(i) services do not require meeting ICF-IID level of care criteria, making them accessible to a broader population. There is no waitlist for 1915(i) services.
Services available through 1915(i) include community support, day supports, respite, job coaching, and other habilitative services that help individuals live and participate fully in their communities.
- Confirm NC Medicaid eligibility and a qualifying diagnosis (IDD, behavioral health condition, or TBI).
- Contact your Tailored Care Manager or LME/MCO care coordinator and request a 1915(i) independent assessment.
- Complete the in-person independent assessment, which confirms eligibility and identifies needed services and supports.
- NC DHHS or its review contractor Carelon reviews the assessment findings.
- If eligible, your care manager develops an Individual Support Plan (ISP) or Person-Centered Plan (PCP) with you and potential providers.
Federal law requires this independent assessment before 1915(i) services can begin. CCMS case managers can help guide individuals and families through this process — contact us at (704) 780-4552.
Referrals & Enrollment
CCMS actively partners with physicians, rehabilitation specialists, hospital discharge planners, workers' compensation and personal injury attorneys, and insurance case managers to ensure seamless, coordinated care for individuals with IDD.
Referral partners can connect clients directly to our intake team. We provide:
- Timely communication on client enrollment status
- Coordination with medical providers on Individual Support Plans
- Seamless service handoff for clients transitioning between settings
- A consistent point of contact for ongoing care coordination
To initiate a referral or discuss a partnership, contact us at (704) 780-4552 or info@covenantcms.com.
Contact our intake team directly:
- Phone: (704) 780-4552
- Email: info@covenantcms.com
Be prepared to share the individual's current Medicaid status, diagnosis, county of residence, and current service needs. Our team will guide you through the enrollment process and coordinate with the appropriate Tailored Plan or LME/MCO.
Yes. CCMS supports individuals regardless of their current waitlist status. While waiting for an available Innovations Waiver slot, individuals may be eligible for NC Medicaid 1915(i) services, which provide many similar community-based supports.
Our case managers help individuals and families access 1915(i) services during the waitlist period while preserving their position on the Innovations Waiver waitlist.
Covenant Case Management Services operates across North Carolina, partnering with Medicaid Tailored Plans and LME/MCOs statewide. Our administrative office is located at 421 W Main St., Albemarle, NC 28001.
To confirm service availability in your county, contact our team at (704) 780-4552 or info@covenantcms.com.
About Covenant Case Management Services
Covenant Case Management Services leads with purpose. Our case managers are committed to person-centered practice, consistent quality, and genuine advocacy for the people we serve.
We serve as a trusted partner to individuals, families, MCOs, medical providers, and referral sources alike. Our approach is built around each person's individual goals and their right to thrive with purpose in the community of their choice.
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Whether you are an individual, a family member, or a referral partner, our team is ready to help you navigate IDD services in North Carolina.