MIChoice Waiver Program


What is the MIChoice Waiver Program?

The MIChoice Waiver Program is for those over the age of 65 or adults age 18 and older who are blind or disabled, and who meet the MI Medicaid Nursing Facility Level of Care (LOC) for long-term care services in a nursing home.   Persons must also meet special Medicaid financial eligibility criteria, and want their long-term care services provided in their home or other independent community setting.

As with our Care Management program, an initial screening by our trained 2-1-1 Call Center staff will help determine if you or a loved one would be appropriate for a formal evaluation and LOC assessment.

If the 2-1-1 Call Center screening indicates that you or your family member are appropriate for a formal evaluation, an in-person meeting with our Care Managers (Registered Nurse & Social Worker) will be scheduled.   The Care Managers will conduct the MI Medicaid Nursing Facility Level of Care (LOC) and discuss the special financial eligibility criteria you or your loved-one will need to meet in order to qualify for financial assistance through the Michigan Medicaid program.

Through a person-centered planning process, UPCAP's Care Managers will provide information on the in-home long-term care services that can help maintain or increase independence.   The LOC and functional assessment help identify needs and wishes that are then developed into a person-centered Care Plan.   Upon your direction, Care Managers then make the arrangements for in-home services and payments to the agencies providing the services.   Finally, after a Care Plan of long-term care services has been put in motion, Care Managers will check with you regularly to make sure your needs are being met, and in the manner you wanted.   Follow-ups occur through both in-person visits and telelphone contacts.


Program Eligibility

1.   Meet Nursing Facility Level of Care Criteria - To qualify for MIChoice Waiver services, individuals must have needs that would qualify them for a nursing facility stay.   Care Managers are required to use the Nursing Facility Level of Care (LOC) to determine this.

2.   Medicaid Eligible - For the MIChoice program, the State of Michigan has established special financial eligibility criteria for income and assets.   You will receive information on this criteria following the scheduling of an in-home meeting with our Care Managers.   UPCAP's Care Managers can explain these criteria in detail during that initial home visit.

3.   Accept (on an on-going basis) 1 of the 15 MIChoice Waiver Services:
      - Adult Day Care,             - Chore Service,             - Community Living Supports
      - Counseling,                     - Durable Medical Equipment
      - Home Care Training,     - Home Delivered Meals,
      - Home Modifications,     - Homemaker
      - In-Home Respite,           - Out-of-Home Respite
      - Non-medical Transportation,   - Personal Care,
      - Personal Emergency Response System,   - Private Duty Nursing

When all 3 requirements are met, the Care Managers will work with you or your love one to develop a Care Plan and get services started.   Individuals must continue to meet all requirements to remain enrolled in the MIChoice Waiver program.


Have You Heard About "Self Determination?

MIChoice Waiver participants can choose to hire, schedule, and pay their own home care worker(s).   They can hire a friend or family member (except spouses or legally appointed guardians) to provide needed and desired long-term care services.   This option provides increased flexibility in the provision of services and greater control over those services.

UPCAP's Care Managers will explain this option further during the initial home visit.


I Am Interested in the MIChoice Waiver Program
Where Do I Start?

Upper Peninsula Residents can start by dialing "2-1-1"
Others can call 1-800-338-1119
Rotary Callers: 1-800-305-8137
Calls are toll-free and staffed 24 hours a day.