Michigan Choice Medicaid Waiver Program: Benefits & Eligibility

Waiver Description

MI Choice is a Michigan Medicaid Waiver program, formerly referred to as the Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly and Disabled (HCBS/ED) program. This waiver is intended for seniors and disabled individuals who require a nursing home level of care but wish to remain living at home or in the community, such as in an adult foster care home or a home for the aged (similar to assisted living).

Elderly and disabled waiver participants are given the choice of having the state manage their care services or self-directing their own care. This option is referred to as Self Determination in Long-Term Care. For those who choose to self-direct their own care, they may opt for a representative to direct their care for them. Family members, such as adult children, can be hired to provide care services. In other words, they can become paid caregivers for their aging parents. However, in most cases, spouses and legal guardians are not eligible to be paid as caregivers.

While paying a family member may be the most popular benefit of this program, it is by no means the only benefit. Under the MI Choice Waiver, seniors can also receive assistance for home modifications to enable aging in place. This might include the addition of a wheelchair ramp or bathroom safety modifications, such as the replacement of a shower with a walk-in tub.

Eligibility Guidelines

General Requirements

In order to be eligible for the MI Choice Waiver, an individual must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Michigan resident.
• Be at least 65 years old (or 18-64 and disabled).
• Qualify for a nursing home level of care.
• Require two services provided by this waiver on a monthly basis. (See Benefits and Services below.)

In addition, persons must be financially qualified to receive assistance from the Choice Waiver.

Financial Requirements

Financially speaking, both one’s income and assets are considered.

Income Limits

As of 2024, a single individual is allowed up to $2,829 per month in income. Married couples, in which both spouses are applying for the MI Choice Waiver, are considered as single applicants. Therefore, each spouse is allowed up to $2,829 in monthly income. When only one spouse of a couple is applying for the waiver, only the monthly income of the applicant is considered. This means the non-applicant spouse is able to keep all of his / her monthly income.

However, sometimes the applicant spouse is the one who receives all of the household income, or nearly all of it. To prevent the non-applicant spouse from having insufficient income from which to support himself / herself, the applicant spouse can transfer income in his / her name to the non-applicant spouse. As of 2024, this monthly income allowance could be as much as $3,853.50 a month. If the spouse’s income is already at this amount, the monthly transfer is not permitted.

Asset Limits

In 2024, a single applicant can have up to $2,000 in countable resources. Couples, with both spouses as applicants, are able to retain as much as $3,000. (Unlike income, a married couple’s assets are considered jointly owned. Learn more here.)

When only one spouse of a married couple is applying, the non-applicant spouse can keep 50% of the couple’s assets, up to $154,140 (as of 2024). If the couple’s assets are under $30,828, the non applicant spouse can keep all of the assets, up to this amount. This is in addition to the $2,000 in assets the applicant spouse is able to keep.

Defining Countable Resources
“Countable resources,” “countable assets,” and “non-exempt assets” all refer to the resources that Medicaid considers when determining one’s eligibility. (Basically, all of the terms are used interchangeably.) However, there are several resources that are considered exempt when it comes to Medicaid eligibility.

For example, owner-occupied homes are exempt. This means the real estate value is not included, provided the equity value of the home does not exceed $713,000 (in 2024). If the applicant is married and his/her spouse lives in the home, it is also considered exempt, even if the applicant does not live in it. Primary vehicles, burial plots, and irrevocable funeral trusts are also exempt.

Over the Financial Limits?

Persons who are over the income and / or asset limits still might gain eligibility for the MI Choice Waiver by working with a financial professional to help them restructure their income and assets in order to meet the limits. There are techniques that can be utilized in order to gain eligibility, while still preserving a family’s resources for future generations. If you believe you are over the limits, consider seeking Medicaid planning assistance in order to increase your chances of qualifying for assistance. Learn more.

Benefits and Services

Services are decided on a case-by-case basis and can include the following:

• Adult day care in a group environment
• Chore services
• Supports coordination / Case management
• Training services
• Disposable medical supplies and durable medical equipment
• Environmental modifications to one’s home or car to increase independence
• Homemaker services such as laundry, shopping assistance and housekeeping
• Personal care services in an assisted living residence or at home
• Personal care supervision
• Personal emergency response systems (PERS)
• Prepared and hot home delivered meals
• Private duty nursing on a short-term basis, including respiratory care
• Respite care to relieve the primary caregiver (in-home and out-of-home)
• Transportation assistance for medical appointments
• Non-medical transportation assistance
• Counseling – family members may participate in these sessions

How to Apply / Learn More

The MI Choice Waiver program is overseen statewide by Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services and is administered by local Waiver Agencies. There is room in this program to accommodate approximately 18,000 participants. However, there is a waiting list to receive services via this waiver. New applicants can expect an approximately 6- to 12-month waiting list to begin services.

To apply for the program, one should contact their local MI Choice Waiver Agency. A list of Waiver Agencies by region can be found here.

Some limited information about this program is available on the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services webpage.