By Cassie Lucas-Moore, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, CareWell Services Southwest
Did you know that Michigan Medicaid offers funding for Home and Community-Based Services? Hold on, don’t go anywhere. The income requirements for this type of service are different from regular Medicaid.
What are Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)? This is a big name to say that Medicaid pays for support to help you stay at home. These supports can be a home health aide to assist with personal care such as bathing, adult day care, chore services, meals, and many more. There are different options when it comes to HCBS and you can review them all on the HCBS Comparison Chart on Michigan.gov. One of the options is the MI Choice Waiver Program, which is administered by CareWell Services throughout eight counties in southwest Michigan.
Here is a brief overview of the MI Choice Waiver Program offered by CareWell Services Southwest.
MI Choice Medicaid Waiver, offered by CareWell Services Southwest, provides services and supports to people in their homes. Services are managed by our Care Management department with a person-centered plan of care that includes your needs, desires, preferences, and goals.
MI Choice Waiver is available to those 18 and over with a certified disability or to adults aged 65 and over. This individual must meet the Nursing Facility Level of Care and income requirements. The income requirements for the MI Choice waiver are different from standard Medicaid requirements. The Waiver program allows for income up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Allowances vary for married couples when one needs services, and the spouse does not. Our Medicaid Specialists can help to navigate any Waiver Medicaid situation. The Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) will review medical needs. The NFLOC looks at the participant’s ability to provide self-care for things such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and transfers. Potential participants are also evaluated for cognitive abilities, how frequently the physician is needed for care, necessary treatments (wound care, IV care, etc.), need for ongoing physical or occupational therapy, and everyday behaviors.
Once a person meets Waiver criteria, there are several available services to allow support and keep folks in their home environment. A team consisting of a nurse and social worker will develop a person-centered, individualized plan for care that includes a mix of services appropriate to the individual’s needs and preferences. Trained home health agency staff or paid family caregivers provide services identified in the plan. Clients can hire their own caregivers in this program. While this can include family members or any other person the client knows, it cannot be a spouse, guardian, or legally responsible representative. MI Choice Waiver is available through CareWell Services Southwest in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. For more information, visit https://carewellservices.org/mi-choice-waiver/ or call (269) 966-2450.
