Meji Home
Many people who need long term care prefer to receive those services in their homes and communities instead of in nursing homes. While some people are able to pay privately for the help they need at home, there are also many publicly funded programs that provide these services. These programs can meet individual’s needs and offer them quality of life at home even if the individual needs significant assistance with activities like eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, meal preparation, shopping, cleaning, and laundry.
Each home and community based services program has different eligibility requirements, application procedures, assessments, and services. Some programs can be used in combination with other services. It can be difficult to learn about and navigate these complex programs and determine which program might be the best fit for you. Area Agencies on Aging can often provide information about various options for which you might be eligible. The MI Choice, Community Transition Services, and PACE Ombudsman Program (MICPOP) can also give you information about several popular home and community based services programs and assist you if you are having difficulty gaining access to these programs. You can reach MICPOP at 888-746-6456 TTY 711 or email them for assistance.
Michigan’s home and community based services
Michigan’s home and community based services programs include:
Home Help
The Home Help program provides assistance with personal care and chore services for low income Medicaid beneficiaries. Beneficiaries enrolled in this program can hire relatives, friends, neighbors or a health care agency to assist them at home. Medicaid will pay the providers an hourly wage. To apply for Home Help, contact your local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office.
MI Choice
The MI Choice Home and Community Based Waiver Program is a Medicaid program that provides a wide range of services including personal care, chore services, home modifications, transportation, nursing services, adult day care, and other services. While many people receive a limited number of hours of assistance, some individuals with very complex and extensive needs receive up to 24 hour care/day. MI Choice is available to eligible individuals in their own homes or in Adult Foster Care, Homes for the Aged, and unlicensed assisted living facilities. MI Choice participants can hire their own caregivers or receive services from a home care agency. Financial eligibility requirements for MI Choice are more generous than for most Medicaid programs but participants must need nursing home level of care. MI Choice is provided by a number of non-profit agencies across the state. You can learn which agency or agencies serve your county here. For further information about MI Choice, you can contact the MI Choice, Community Transition Services, and PACE Ombudsman Program.
MI Health Link Waiver
The MI Health Link Waiver is available to individuals enrolled in MI Health Link, a demonstration project for individuals who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. MI Health Link is available in Macomb County, Wayne County, eight counties in southwest Michigan, and all of the Upper Peninsula. Services are provided through a number of managed care health plans. The MI Health Link Waiver offers a wide array of services very similar to those offered in the MI Choice program (see above) and is available to individuals who need nursing home level of care. For more information on the MI Health Link program and its waiver services, contact the MI Health Link Ombudsman Program.
Older Americans Act Services
With funding from the federal Older Americans Act, local area agencies on aging can provide chore services and other assistance to individuals age 60 and older. For more information about the availability of these services, contact your local Area Agencies on Aging.
PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
The PACE program uses an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and aides to coordinate and provide preventive, primary, acute, and long term care services. Many of the services are provided at the local PACE center which many participants visit frequently. To qualify for PACE, individuals must be 55 or older, live in PACE provider’s services area, need nursing home level of care, and be able to live safely in the community.
Community Mental Health Services
Individuals who are eligible for Community Mental Health Services may receive home and community based services that will help them remain independent and engaged in the community. For more information about these services, contact your local CMH agency.
Home Health Services
These services can be available to individuals funded by both Medicare and Medicaid. For more information about Medicare-funded home health care services, contact 1-800-Medicare or review the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s article on home health services.
For more information about barriers to receiving Home and Community Based Services, see MEJI’s report, Barriers to Receiving Home and Community Based Services: Recommendations for Systemic Changes.