States maintain long HCBS waitlists

A new data note from KFF highlights the ongoing strain on Home and Community Based Services across the country. Forty-one states now maintain waitlists or interest lists for Medicaid HCBS, and more than 600,000 individuals are waiting for support in 2025.

The report shows that average waits have reached nearly 32 months across all programs, with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities experiencing the longest delays at roughly 37 months. Many states attribute the ongoing growth of these lists to workforce shortages, rising demand, and limited waiver capacity.

For agencies, the findings reinforce what many already know well. Demand for HCBS is steady and rising. Operational stability matters more than ever. And when agencies have the tools and systems to stay focused on supporting individuals, they are better equipped to meet the need around them.

Across every state, providers are doing everything they can to reduce delays, strengthen access, and ensure individuals receive services when they need them. The continued growth of HCBS waitlists is a reminder of both the challenges ahead and the resilience of the IDD community.