The federal and state governments jointly fund the national Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to Americans with little income and few assets. The program is regulated federally and adapted and administered by each state to meet the needs of dependent children and their parents, expectant mothers, seniors and disabled adults. Over one-fifth of Michigan’s population is enrolled in the state program, including almost half a million elderly, blind and disabled individuals.
Qualifying for Michigan Medicaid
Oakland County residents who qualify for Michigan Medicaid are covered for numerous health care benefits, including:
- Inpatient, outpatient and emergency hospital services
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Prescription medications
- Ambulance and nonemergency medical transportation
- Long-term care in a nursing home
Seniors and disabled adults eligible for
Supplemental Security Income benefits are enrolled in Medicaid and receive full benefits automatically. Other applicants must have $2,313 or less of income per month. Single people are allowed up to $2,000 in countable assets and married couples applying together may have up to $3,000 combined. Applicants must also be:
- American citizens or legal immigrants
- Aged 65 or older or disabled or blind if aged 64 or younger
Medicaid counts all sources of income but automatically disregards some assets, including personal belongings, one vehicle, irrevocable burial trusts, a home worth no more than $585,000 and household furnishings.
Applying for Medicaid Oakland County seniors can
apply for Michigan Medicaid online, at the nearest
Health and Human Services office or by calling (844) 799-9876.
MI Choice Waiver Oakland County residents who are eligible for Medicaid coverage for long-term nursing home care but prefer to remain at home or in the community may qualify for the
MI Choice waiver program.
Those who apply must be assessed as needing a nursing facility level of care but be physically and mentally capable of living in the community without any risk of harm. Applicants must also be aged 65 or older or aged 64 or younger and blind or disabled.
Those approved for the program are entitled to full Medicaid medical coverage and at least one of the following services offered under the waiver:
- Care coordination
- Transitional assistance to return to the community
- Private duty nursing care
- Preventive nursing services
- Medical equipment and supplies not covered by Medicaid
- Supports for community living
- Counseling
- Certain goods and services
- Personal emergency response systems
- Nonmedical transportation
Because it’s a waiver rather than a Michigan Medicaid entitlement program, participation in the Choice program is capped statewide, so approved seniors may be placed on a waiting list until a spot becomes available.
To learn more about the MI Choice waiver or to start the application process, Oakland County seniors should contact
Area Agency on Aging 1-B at (800) 852-7795.