You Are Not Stuck. Why Most Families Do Not Realize They Can Switch Their Waiver Agency Anytime
If you or your loved one receives CL, FIS, or BI waiver services in Virginia, there is a good chance you were never told one of the most important rights you have. You can change your waiver provider at any time. You are not locked in. You are not required to stay with an agency that is not meeting your needs. And you do not lose your waiver hours when you switch.
This simple fact could completely change the quality of life for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, yet most families have never heard it.
The Right to Choose Your Provider
Under Virginia Medicaid and DMAS policy, every person receiving waiver services has freedom of choice among qualified Medicaid providers. This means the agency you choose is entirely up to you. If the provider you have now is not a good fit, you can request a new one. You can do this whether you have been with your current agency for one month or ten years.
This right applies to all DD Waivers in Virginia, including the Community Living (CL), Family and Individual Supports (FIS), and Building Independence (BI) waivers.
Why Families Rarely Hear About This
Most families assume switching providers is risky or complicated. Some believe they must wait for a yearly renewal period. Others fear that changing agencies could cause a break in services or make things worse. And many simply feel grateful for whatever support they have, even if it is not working well.
These myths prevent families from exercising their rights.
What Actually Happens When You Switch Providers
The process is straightforward.
You tell your support coordinator you want to change your provider.
They complete a Provider Change Form.
Your new agency accepts the authorization.
Your waiver hours follow you. Your services continue without a gap. Nothing starts over. You are not punished or penalized for making a choice that protects your loved one.
Your rights remain intact because the waiver is tied to you as the individual, not the agency.
Why Quality of Life Depends on the Right Provider
Families stay with the wrong agency for many reasons: fear of losing staff, fear of confusing paperwork, fear of confrontation, or simply not knowing they have options.
But the impact of staying with a provider that is not meeting your needs is significant. Poor communication, unreliable staffing, lack of community outings, and minimal progress on goals all add up to frustration and lost time. When a provider is not a good fit, quality of life suffers.
Choosing a better agency can lead to:
stronger communication
consistent staffing
better person centered planning
safer and more meaningful community activities
improved skill building at home
The right agency can make the difference between surviving and thriving.
You Are Not Stuck. You Have Options.
If you are unhappy with your current provider, or if you have concerns about the quality of support your loved one is getting, you do not have to stay silent. You have the right to choose an agency that respects your goals, listens to your concerns, and supports your loved one with dignity and reliability.
If you want help understanding your rights or reviewing your current services, reach out today.
Call 757-943-9070 to schedule a consultation.
The choice is yours, and the support you deserve is within reach.
