Caring for a family member or friend in New Hampshire is a full-time commitment. Adding CFI Medicaid Waiver paperwork can feel overwhelming. This guide explains what paid family and friend caregivers need to know, and how to access support to simplify administrative tasks.
If you’re considering becoming a paid family or friend caregiver through New Hampshire’s Choices for Independence (CFI) Medicaid Waiver, you might be wondering how much of the paperwork falls on you. The short answer is: some of it does, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s break it down.
What Administrative Responsibilities Come With the CFI Program?
The Choices for Independence (CFI) program gives care recipients more flexibility, including selecting their caregiver. However, paid family and friend caregivers need to handle some administrative steps to ensure services and payments are processed correctly.
These typically include:
- Completing and submitting required Medicaid application forms
- Providing financial and eligibility documentation for the care recipient
- Participating in care assessments and care planning
- Coordinating with a CFI case manager
- Completing caregiver onboarding paperwork
- Tracking hours and submitting time for payroll
While Medicaid provides the framework, it does not walk families step-by-step through every form or decision. This is often where caregivers feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure they’re doing things correctly.
What Help Does the CFI Program Itself Provide?
Through CFI, the care recipient is assigned a case manager who oversees eligibility, authorizes services, and ensures the care plan meets Medicaid requirements. Case managers are an important part of the process, but their role is oversight and coordination, not hands-on administrative support.
That means they:
- Explain program requirements
- Approve services and care plans
- Act as a point of contact for Medicaid-related matters
They typically do not:
- Complete paperwork for you
- Manage payroll or onboarding
- Proactively identify every benefit you may qualify for
That gap is where many families feel the strain.
How Home Care Agencies Reduce the Administrative Burden
Home care agencies that participate in the CFI program help paid family and friend caregivers by managing paperwork, coordinating with case managers, and handling payroll. Guardian Home Care of NH supports families every step of the way, making caregiving more manageable and ensuring all Medicaid requirements are met.
At Guardian Home Care of NH, this includes:
- Guiding families through the CFI application and qualification process
- Coordinating directly with CFI case managers
- Handling caregiver onboarding, payroll, and payment timelines
- Clarifying requirements so nothing stalls due to missing paperwork
- Helping families understand benefits they may not realize they’re entitled to
Instead of juggling caregiving, paperwork, and guesswork, families get a clearer path forward.
The Bottom Line
Yes, there is administrative work involved in becoming a paid family caregiver under CFI. But no, you shouldn’t have to figure it all out on your own, or risk delays because a form was misunderstood or submitted incorrectly.
Having the right guidance early can save weeks or months of frustration and ensure both the caregiver and care recipient receive the full benefits available to them.
Need Help Navigating CFI Paperwork and Next Steps?
If you’re caring for a loved one or are already enrolled in the CFI program and have questions about the CFI process or paperwork, call Guardian Home Care of NH or request a callback. Our team can guide you through responsibilities, clarify steps, and help ensure a smooth caregiving experience.
References & Resources
- [1] NH Choices for Independence Waiver: Official Medicaid waiver document.
- [2] NH Care Collaborative — CFI Eligibility & Care Coordination Info: Overview of CFI eligibility, case management, and service planning.
- [3] CMS List of NH Medicaid Waivers — Including CFI (1915c): Federal summary presenting CFI’s waiver status and purpose.
