Medicaid was introduced by the federal government in 1965 to provide health care services to the most vulnerable among the nation’s population: low-income adults, pregnant women, families with young children, disabled and blind adults and the elderly. Today, each state administers its own Medicaid program with joint funding contributed by the federal government.
Michigan Medicaid provides approximately 2.2 million residents with essential health care coverage for primary and specialist care, emergency room and hospital services, preventive care, diagnostic tests, prescriptions and institutional nursing home care.
Seniors and disabled adults must be U.S. citizens or legal residents to qualify for Medicaid in Michigan. Those who meet the eligibility guidelines for Supplemental Security Income benefits automatically receive full Medicaid coverage. All other Wayne County residents must meet the following qualification requirements to obtain coverage for medical and long-term care services:
- Be aged 65 or older or aged 21 to 64 and blind or permanently disabled
- Be assessed as requiring a nursing facility level of care
- Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less as an individual
- Own $2,000 or less in countable assets as a single person or $3,000 or less if married and applying with a spouse
Medicaid counts income from all sources when determining eligibility but not all assets. Exempt assets include a primary home, household and personal effects, one vehicle and irrevocable burial trusts.
Additional income and asset exemptions are allowed for married couples if only one is applying to prevent
spousal impoverishment:
- Up to $3,160.50 of an applicant’s monthly income can be set aside as a spousal living allowance.
- Up to $126,420 in joint assets may be excluded as a spousal resource allowance.
Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria except for excess income may be approved for a
Medicaid deductible to reduce their monthly income to $2,313. An applicant’s deductible is their over-limit income figure, which must be spent on health care expenses before coverage begins. Acceptable expenses can include:
- Doctor, hospital or nursing services
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Dental and chiropractic services
- Transportation costs to obtain medical care
Seniors can
apply for Michigan Medicaid online or in person at the nearest Wayne County
Health and Human Services office. Those who need assistance completing an application can call (844) 799-9876.
Michigan Medicaid Choice Waiver Wayne County seniors and adults with disabilities who want to stay in their home or community instead of entering a nursing home can apply for the
MI Choice waiver. To qualify, applicants must meet the eligibility guidelines for Medicaid and need the level of care normally provided in a nursing facility. Those approved for the program receive comprehensive Medicaid medical coverage along with community-based services and supports that may include:
- Transition assistance to relocate from a nursing facility
- Coordination of supports for community living
- Preventive and private-duty nursing care
- Respite care
- Necessary medical equipment and supplies excluded from Medicaid coverage
- Nonmedical transportation
The MI Choice waiver isn’t a Medicaid entitlement, and statewide enrollment is limited to about 18,000 participants, so there may be a waiting list to receive services depending on availability.
To apply for the MI Choice waiver, Wayne County seniors can contact the
Detroit Area Agency on Aging at (313) 446-4444 or
the Senior Alliance at (734) 722-2830.