How the Virginia CCC+ Waiver Works (And How to Use It)
Getting your loved one the support they need at home should not feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. But for many Virginia families navigating the CCC+ Medicaid Waiver for the first time, that is exactly how it feels.
This guide is here to change that. Whether you are a parent of an adult child with autism in Sterling or Manassas, a family caregiver supporting someone with a physical or developmental disability in Loudoun County, or a senior in Northern Virginia trying to stay in your own home, the CCC+ waiver was built with you in mind. Here is what it covers, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to do once you are in.
What Is the Virginia CCC+ Medicaid Waiver?
CCC+ stands for Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus. It is Virginia's managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) program, run through the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). The program is designed to help people with complex care needs stay out of institutions and remain at home or in a community setting instead.
The CCC+ waiver is not a one-size-fits-all program. It blends standard Medicaid benefits with long-term care services, all coordinated through a single managed care organization (MCO). Virginia currently contracts with several MCOs to administer CCC+, including Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Molina Healthcare, and United Healthcare Community Plan.
For families in Northern Virginia, including communities like Sterling, Leesburg, Manassas, and the broader Loudoun and Prince William County areas, this program is one of the most important funding pathways available for in-home disability care services. If you have been searching for home care in Sterling, VA, or looking for disability home care services near Manassas, CCC+ is likely the program worth understanding first.
Who Qualifies for CCC+?
To be eligible for CCC+, a person must meet all of the following criteria:
Medicaid eligibility. The individual must already be enrolled in Virginia Medicaid or be eligible to enroll. Medicaid eligibility in Virginia is based on income, household size, age, and disability status.
Need for a nursing facility level of care. This does not mean the person has to live in a nursing facility. It means the state has determined their care needs are complex enough that without support, a nursing facility would be the likely alternative. This level of care is assessed through a standardized tool called the Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI).
Age and residency. The person must be a Virginia resident and must be at least 18 years old. Some younger individuals may qualify under specific circumstances, particularly those transitioning out of pediatric programs, but CCC+ is primarily an adult program.
Specific eligibility populations. CCC+ serves four main groups: seniors and individuals with physical disabilities (SPD), individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), individuals with mental health needs, and individuals who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
If your family member has autism, a physical disability, or a developmental condition and they are currently on Medicaid, there is a strong chance they could benefit from CCC+ services. This is especially true for families in Sterling, Ashburn, and the Manassas area, where demand for in-home care for special needs adults has grown steadily.
What Services Does CCC+ Cover?
This is where things get meaningful. The CCC+ waiver covers a broad range of in-home and community-based services, all coordinated through the member's assigned care coordinator. Here is a breakdown of the services most relevant to families:
Personal care services. Help with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility. This is one of the most commonly used CCC+ services for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, and it is a core part of what our in-home care services are built around.
Respite care. Temporary relief for family caregivers. This is something many families do not take advantage of quickly enough. Caregiver burnout is real, especially for those supporting a loved one with autism or significant disabilities, and respite care at home exists specifically to give caregivers breathing room.
Adult day health care. Structured support programs during daytime hours that can provide socialization, health monitoring, and skilled nursing care depending on the setting.
Home-based supportive services. Assistance with household tasks, meal preparation, and other supports that help someone maintain independence at home.
Skilled nursing visits. Periodic in-home visits from a licensed nurse to monitor health conditions, manage medications, and provide clinical oversight.
Assistive technology and environmental modifications. The program can help fund equipment or home modifications, like grab bars, wheelchair ramps, or communication devices, that make daily living safer and more manageable.
Peer support and community integration. Connecting members to community resources, social activities, and peer mentors who share similar experiences.
The full list of covered services depends on the individual's assessed needs and their plan of care, which is built collaboratively with the care coordinator.
How the CCC+ Application Process Works
The application process has several stages, and it helps to understand them before you start.
Step 1: Apply for Medicaid. If the person is not already on Medicaid, that is the starting point. You can apply through Cover Virginia by calling 1-855-242-8282 or through your local Department of Social Services office. Families in Prince William County can contact the Manassas DSS office directly, and families in Loudoun County work through the Leesburg DSS office.
Step 2: Get a functional assessment. Once Medicaid is active, the state will conduct a functional needs assessment using the UAI. For individuals with IDD, an additional assessment tool called the VIDES (Virginia Individual Developmental Disabilities Eligibility Survey) may also be used. The assessment reviews what the person can and cannot do independently in daily life.
Step 3: Be assigned to an MCO. If the person qualifies for CCC+, they will be enrolled in a managed care organization. They may have a choice of MCOs depending on their region. In Northern Virginia, including the Sterling and Manassas corridors, most MCOs serve the area, so families typically have options.
Step 4: Work with a care coordinator. Once enrolled, a care coordinator from the MCO will reach out to begin developing an individualized plan of care. This coordinator is one of the most important relationships in the process. A good care coordinator helps unlock services, navigate appeals, and make sure the plan reflects what the person actually needs.
Step 5: Choose your providers. Under CCC+, members have the right to choose their own home care providers, as long as those providers are enrolled in Virginia Medicaid and credentialed with the MCO. This is an important right families should know about and use. If you are in the Manassas area, you can request a provider local to you.
How Butterfly Home Care Works with CCC+
At Butterfly Home Care, we provide personal care and in-home support services for individuals with disabilities, including adults with autism and other developmental and physical conditions. We work with families throughout Northern Virginia, with locations serving Sterling, Leesburg, Manassas, and the surrounding communities.
We are a Medicaid-credentialed provider, which means our services can be accessed through the CCC+ waiver. If your family member is enrolled in CCC+ and has personal care or in-home support included in their plan of care, you can request Butterfly Home Care as your provider through your MCO care coordinator.
What we bring to in-home care goes beyond the tasks on a checklist. Our caregivers are trained to support individuals with complex needs, build genuine relationships with the people they care for, and communicate openly with families about what is working and what is not. We understand that inviting someone into your home requires trust, and we take that seriously.
If you are still early in the CCC+ process and not sure where to begin, our “common questions we hear” page covers a lot of the ground families ask about most. And when you are ready to talk through your specific situation, our team is easy to reach.
Most Common Families Ask Us These Questions About CCC+
How long is the waitlist for CCC+? The CCC+ waiver itself does not have a formal waitlist in the same way as some other Medicaid waivers, like the Building Independence (BI) waiver. However, the process of getting assessed, enrolled in an MCO, and building a plan of care can take several months. Starting early matters.
Can a family member be paid as a caregiver under CCC+? Yes, in some cases. Virginia has a program called Consumer-Directed Services (CD Services) that functions similarly to a paid family caregiver program, allowing Medicaid members to hire and manage their own personal care attendants, including certain family members. This is administered through a fiscal agent and has specific rules about who can and cannot be employed. Your care coordinator can walk you through whether this option applies to your situation.
What if we disagree with the care plan or the level of services approved? You have the right to appeal. Both the state and the MCO have formal appeal and grievance processes. If you believe the approved services do not reflect your family member's actual needs, do not accept the initial determination without pushing back. Advocacy organizations like the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities can also offer guidance.
Does CCC+ cover autism home care services? CCC+ personal care and in-home support are available to adults with autism who meet the functional eligibility criteria. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and other clinical autism-specific treatments are typically covered under standard Medicaid rather than through the CCC+ waiver specifically. The two can work together when someone needs both daily support and therapeutic services.
What happens if we move to a different part of Virginia? CCC+ is a statewide program, but MCO coverage areas vary by region. If you move, you may need to switch MCOs. Notify your care coordinator as early as possible when a move is being planned so continuity of services can be arranged.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
The CCC+ Medicaid Waiver gives Virginia families a real pathway to keeping their loved ones at home, with real support and real dignity. It is not without its bureaucratic moments, but understanding how the process works makes it much less overwhelming. If you are in Northern Virginia and ready to take the next step, talk to our team about how we support families through the CCC+ process. You can also read more in our guide on choosing the right home care agency for autistic adults.
Sources:
CCC Plus Waiver - Virginia Medicaid
Virginia Medicaid’s Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Waiver Program - Medicaid Planning Assistance
