Michigan Medicaid Waiver Programs

In the 1980’s Congress created Medicaid Waiver program so that people who needed a “nursing home level of care” so that they did not have to go to a nursing home. They could receive the services they needed in-home and remain independent and able to live at home. Michigan has two such programs: MiChoice Waiver and PACE. The eligibility requirements of both are:

  • Applicants must require a “Nursing Facility Level of Care” and must be able to live in-home with assistance the program can provide.
  • Must be financially eligible
    • Income limited to $2,982 (2026)
      Assets limited to $9,950
    • Both programs provide A broad range of “long term services and supports” that support independent living. These include:
      Personal care services — assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and other activities of daily living
      Homemaker services — light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, and grocery shopping
      Respite care — temporary relief for unpaid family caregivers
      Adult day health programs — structured daytime supervision and activities
      Home-delivered meals
      Community living supports — assistance with daily living skills and community integration
      Transportation — non-emergency medical and community transportation
      Nursing services — skilled nursing visits for medication management, wound care, and health monitoring
      Very expensive home modifications such as ramps, grab bars, and bathroom accessibility improvements On special approval Medicaid will pay for repairs to the home to make it liveable such a new roof.

MiChoice Waiver: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/healthcare/seniors/michoicewaiver/mi-choice-waiver-program-useMichigan MiChoice Waiver

Application is made through the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or waiver contract provider:

  • Waiting list: When one applies there will be a wait for the In-home Assessment of eligibility and need. There will be a wait for the appointment with the in-home assessment team.
  • Once approved the applicant will be put on a waiting list again. While the length of the list varies by region, it can be a months long wait even as much as a year.

PACE: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/healthcare/seniors/program-of-all-inclusive-care-for-the-elderly-pace

You may find the PACE provider for your area at:  https://www.pacemichigan.com/find-your-pace

  • Application is made with PACE Provider
  • Generally no waiting list
  • Services are provided by PACE service providers.
  • PACE provides some care in the home, but care also takes place at a PACE Center. People enrolled in the program must receive their primary medical care through PACE with providers that PACE has contracted with. Your previous own doctor will not be a choice. To qualify for PACE, people must live in a zip code served by a PACE Center.