Michigan’s MI Choice Waiver Program provides home and community-based services (HCBS) for state residents who are elderly or physically disabled and at risk of being institutionalized (being placed in a nursing home). Based on an individual care plan, program participants receive long-term services and supports to enable them to continue to live independently. Benefits might include home modifications, adult day care, meal delivery, personal emergency response systems, personal care assistance, and nursing services. Persons can live in their home, the home of a relative, an adult foster care home, or a home for the aged, which can be thought of as assisted living.
The services available via the MI Choice Program are provided by “Waiver Agencies”, many of which are Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). There are approximately 20 Waiver Agencies throughout the state and each agency serves a specific region. Each agency functions as a Prepaid Ambulatory Health Plan (PAHP) and has their own network of care providers. Program participants receive services via these providers. Essentially, it is managed care plan.
There is, however, some flexibility of providers for program beneficiaries. There is a self-determination option that allows persons to hire the provider of their choosing for some benefits, such as homemaker services and personal care. Rather than receive services via the Waiver Agency / PAHP’s network of licensed care providers, a program participant can hire their own caregiver. Relatives, including one’s adult child or spouse, can be hired. A Financial Management Services Agency handles the financial aspects of employment responsibilities, such as background checks, tax withholding, and caregiver payments.
The MI Choice Waiver is not an entitlement program; meeting eligibility requirements does not equate to immediate receipt of program benefits. Instead, there are a limited number of participant enrollment slots, and when they are full, a waitlist for program participation forms.
Your request has been received. You’ll be contacted within one business day.Wait List Alternatives: Are you interested in connecting with a Medicaid Planning Professional to discuss alternatives to the MI Choice Waiver? Wait-lists can last from months to years, but there are other Medicaid programs that offer immediate care outside of nursing homes.
The MI Choice Waiver, which was previously called the Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (HCBS/ED), is a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) Medicaid Waiver. This managed care program operates in conjunction with a 1915(b) Medicaid Waiver, which enables the services and supports to be received via Prepaid Ambulatory Health Plans (Waiver Agencies).
Follows is a list of the benefits available via the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver. An individual care plan determines which services and supports a program participant receives. Some benefits may be participant-directed, allowing the beneficiary to choose their own provider.
– Assistive Technology
– Adult Day Health Care – supervised care in a community group setting a minimum of 4 hours / day. Transportation between home and facility may be provided.
– Case Management – also called supports coordination
– Chore Services – mowing the lawn, plowing snow, window washing, etc.
– Community Health Worker – provides assistance in obtaining community support
– Community Living Supports – assistance with daily living activities (i.e., bathing, personal hygiene, eating), preparation of meals, shopping for essentials, non-emergency transportation assistance, housecleaning, dementia care
– Counseling Services
– Financial Management Services / Fiscal Intermediary – for persons self-directing their care
– Goods and Services – services / supports not otherwise available
– Home Meal Delivery – one to two meals / day (includes meal delivery kits, like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh, and service fees for grocery delivery services)
– Vehicle Modifications
– Home Modifications – also called environmental accessibility adaptations. May include widening doorways, installing ramps / grab bars, and modifying a bathroom to be wheelchair accessible.
– Independent Living Skills Training
– Nursing Services – on an intermittent basis
– Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
– Private Duty Nursing / Respiratory Care
– Residential Services – personal care, homemaker services, chore services, and meal preparation in homes for the aged and adult foster care homes
– Respite Care – in-home / out-of-home short-term care to alleviate a primary caregiver from caregiving responsibilities
– Specialized Medical Equipment / Supplies
– Supports Brokerage – provides assistance for persons self-directing their care
– Transportation – non-emergency medical / non-medical
While program beneficiaries can live in an adult foster care home or a home for the aged, MI Choice does not cover the cost of room and board in these settings.
The American Council on Aging provides a quick and easy Medicaid Eligibility Test for Michigan seniors.
The MI Choice Waiver is for Michigan residents who are elderly (aged 65+), or younger (aged 18+) if disabled, and at risk of nursing home placement. Additional eligibility criteria are as follows:
Income
The applicant income limit is equivalent to 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), which increases each January. In 2024, an applicant, regardless of marital status, can have a monthly income up to $2,829. When both spouses are applicants, each spouse is considered individually, with each spouse allowed income up to $2,829 / month. When only one spouse is an applicant, the income of the non-applicant spouse is not counted towards the income eligibility of their spouse. Furthermore, monthly income from the applicant spouse can be transferred to the non-applicant spouse as a Spousal Income Allowance, also called a Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance.
Michigan has set a minimum Spousal Income Allowance of $2,555 / month (eff. July 2024 – June 2025). This allows an applicant spouse to supplement their non-applicant spouse’s monthly income, bringing their income up to this amount. In 2024, the state also sets a maximum income allowance of $3,853.50 / month. While this potentially allows a non-applicant spouse a higher income allowance, any additional amount above the minimum income allowance is dependent on one’s shelter and utility costs. A Spousal Income Allowance, however, can never push a non-applicant’s total monthly income over $3,853.50
Michigan Medicaid also offers another Medicaid Program, MI Health Link HCBS, through which home and community based services are provided. This program is for persons who are “dual eligible” (eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare).
Assets
In 2024, the asset limit is $2,000 for a single applicant. For married couples, with both spouses as applicants, the asset limit is $3,000. When only one spouse is an applicant, the assets of both the applicant and non-applicant spouse are still limited. This is because Medicaid considers the assets of a married couple to be jointly owned. In this case, the applicant spouse can retain up to $2,000 in assets and the non-applicant spouse is allocated a larger portion of the couple’s assets as a Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA).
The CSRA allows the non-applicant spouse to keep 50% of the couple’s assets, up to $154,140. If the non-applicant’s share of assets falls under $30,828, they can keep 100% of the assets, up to $30,828.
Some assets are not counted towards Medicaid’s asset limit. These generally include an applicant’s primary home, household furnishings and appliances, personal effects, and a vehicle.
Assets should not be given away or sold under fair market value within 60-months of long-term care Medicaid application. Medicaid has a Look-Back Rule and violating it results in a Penalty Period of Medicaid ineligibility.
To determine if you might have assets over Michigan Medicaid’s countable limit, and if so, receive an estimate of the amount, use our Spend Down Calculator.
Home Ownership
The home is often the highest valued asset a Medicaid applicant owns, and many persons worry that Medicaid will take it. For eligibility purposes, Michigan Medicaid considers the home exempt (non-countable) in the following circumstances.
– The applicant lives in the home or has “Intent” to Return, and in 2024, their home equity interest is no greater than $713,000. Home equity is the current value of the home minus any outstanding debt against it. Equity interest is the portion of the home’s equity value that is owned by the applicant.
– The applicant has a spouse who lives in the home.
– The applicant has a disabled or blind child (of any age) who lives in the home.
– The applicant has a minor child (under 21 years old) who lives in the home.
While the home is likely exempt while one is receiving Medicaid benefits, it may not be safe from Medicaid’s Estate Recovery Program. Learn more about the potential of Medicaid taking the home.
An applicant must require a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC). For the MI Choice Waiver, an online tool called the Michigan Medicaid Nursing Facility Level of Care Determination (LOCD) is used to determine if this level of care need is met. The LOCD is completed in person by the MI Choice Waiver Agency in one’s area. There are several functional areas of consideration, including one’s ability to complete their Activities of Daily Living (i.e., transferring from the bed to a chair, mobility, eating, toileting), their cognitive abilities (i.e., daily decision making, short-term memory, ability to communicate), and potential behavioral difficulties (i.e., wandering, refusing care, inappropriate behavior). Furthermore, applicants must require supports coordination, in addition to one other waiver service. While many persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia likely will meet the functional criteria, a diagnosis of dementia in and of itself does not mean one will meet a NFLOC.
Having income and / or assets over Medicaid’s limit(s) does not mean an applicant cannot still qualify for Michigan Medicaid. There are a variety of planning strategies that can be used to help persons who would otherwise be ineligible to become eligible. Some of these strategies are fairly easy to implement, and others, exceedingly complex. Below are the most common.
While Michigan has a Spend-down Program that permits Medicaid applicants to spend “excess” income on medical expenses in order to meet Medicaid’s income limit, the MI Choice Waiver Program prohibits persons from qualifying via this avenue.
When persons have assets over the limits, there are a variety of options. While the majority of states allow Irrevocable Funeral Trusts (IFTs), which are pre-paid funeral and burial expense trusts that Medicaid does not count as assets, Michigan does not. Instead, they permit Irrevocable Prepaid Funeral Contracts. With this type of contract, funeral and burial goods and services are selected and pre-paid. Another option are Medicaid-Compliant Annuities, which turn countable assets into a stream of income. There are many other options when the applicant has assets exceeding the limit.
Inadequate planning or improperly implementing a Medicaid planning strategy can result in a denial or delay of Medicaid benefits. Professional Medicaid Planners are educated in the planning strategies available in Michigan to meet Medicaid’s financial eligibility criteria without jeopardizing Medicaid eligibility. Furthermore, there are additional planning strategies that not only help one meet Medicaid’s financial criteria, but can also protect assets for family as inheritance. These strategies often violate Medicaid’s 60-month Look-Back Rule, and therefore, should be implemented well in advance of the need for long-term care. However, there are some workarounds, and Michigan Medicaid Planners are aware of them. For these reasons, it is highly suggested one consult a Medicaid Planner for assistance in qualifying for Medicaid when over the income and / or asset limit(s). Find a Medicaid Planner.
Prior to submitting an application for the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver, applicants need to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. Applying when over the income and / or asset limit(s) will be cause for denial of benefits. The American Council on Aging offers a Medicaid Eligibility Test to determine if one might meet Medicaid’s eligibility criteria.
As part of the application process, applicants will need to gather documentation for submission. Examples include copies of Social Security cards, Medicare cards, life insurance policies, property deeds, pre-need burial contracts, bank statements up to 60-months prior to application, and proof of income. A common reason applications are held up is required documentation is missing or not submitted in a timely manner.
Since the MI Choice Waiver is not an entitlement program, there may be a waitlist for program participation. This waiver is approved for a maximum of approximately 20,171 total beneficiaries per year. In the case of a waitlist, priority is given to select groups of persons, such as those residing in a nursing home who wish to return to community living. If an applicant does not fall into a priority group, one’s placement on the waitlist is based on the date of application. Waitlists are agency specific, as each agency is allocated a set amount of participant slots.
To apply for the MI Choice Waiver, applicants should contact the MI Choice Waiver Agency that serves the area in which they live. See Waiver Agency regional map and coordinating contact information here. An initial over-the-phone interview will take place to determine potential program eligibility and waitlist placement.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration (BPHASA) administers the MI Choice Waiver. MDHHS contracts with Waiver Agencies to provide MI Choice benefits.
The Medicaid application process can take up to 3 months, or even longer, from the beginning of the application process through the receipt of the determination letter indicating approval or denial. Generally, it takes one several weeks to complete the application and gather all of the supportive documentation. If the application is not properly completed, or required documentation is missing, the application process will be delayed. Based on federal law, Medicaid offices have up to 45 days to review and approve or deny one’s application (up to 90 days for disability applications). Despite the law, applications are sometimes delayed even further. Furthermore, as waitlists may exist, approved applicants may spend many months, or even longer, waiting to receive benefits.
What are 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid Waivers?
Historically Medicaid only paid for long-term care in nursing homes. 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid Waivers allow states to offer benefits outside of these institutions. “HCBS” stands for Home and Community Based Services. The goal of HCBS is to delay or prevent institutionalization, and to that end, care may be provided in one’s home, the home of a relative, assisted living, or adult foster care / adult family living. Waivers can target specific groups who require a Nursing Home Level of Care and are at risk of institutionalization, such as the elderly, disabled, or persons with Alzheimer’s. Waivers are not entitlements. Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee receipt of benefits, as there are a limited number of slots for program participants.