As the nation’s largest health insurance program, Medicaid delivers vital primary, acute and long-term care to over 65 million people from coast to coast. The jointly funded program is regulated federally and administered by individual state governments. In Michigan, the state Medicaid program delivers health care services to approximately 2.2 million low-income residents, including children, pregnant women, disabled or blind adults and seniors.
U.S. citizens and legal residents of Michigan who qualify for Medicaid receive wide ranging health care benefits including, doctor and specialist services, emergency, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription medications, X-rays, lab work, diagnostic tests and long-term nursing facility care.
Seniors aged 65 or older and blind or disabled adults aged 64 and younger who’ve been assessed as requiring a nursing-home level of care are eligible for coverage if they:
- Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less
- Have total assets of $2,000 or less per individual or $3,000 per co-applicant couple
West Bloomfield residents who receive
Supplemental Security Income qualify for Medicaid coverage automatically.
All sources of income count for Medicaid eligibility purposes, including wages, pensions, stock dividends and Social Security benefits. Some assets are disregarded, including personal belongings, one vehicle, a primary, owner-occupied home with a value up to $585,000, household goods and burial trusts.
If only one spouse of a married couple applies, additional income and asset exemptions may be allowed per
Medicaid rules to prevent impoverishment of a non-applicant spouse:
- Up to $3,160.50 of the applicant’s monthly income may be excluded as a living allowance for the non-applicant
- The non-applicant may retain up to $126,420 in jointly owned assets as a resource allowance
Seniors who meet the eligibility criteria but have excess income and high medical bills may be allowed to use a
Medicaid deductible to qualify for month-to-month coverage. Once the applicant’s medical bills meet or exceed their deductible figure – their amount of excess income – they qualify for coverage.
West Bloomfield residents can
apply for Michigan Medicaid online or in person at the Oakland County
Health and Human Services office located at 51111 Woodward Avenue in Pontiac. For assistance completing an application, seniors can call (844) 799-9876.
Michigan Medicaid Choice Waiver Michigan Medicaid offers seniors and disabled adults who meet the eligibility requirements for long-term care coverage an alternative to nursing home placement through the
MI Choice waiver. The program is open to applicants assessed as able to safely live in a community setting and provides comprehensive medical coverage and a range of supportive services that may include:
- Transition assistance to move back to the community
- Support coordination for community living
- Preventive and private-duty nursing
- Counseling
- Medical supplies and equipment not covered by regular Medicaid
- Nonmedical transportation
The MI Choice waiver isn’t a Michigan Medicaid entitlement program and enrollment is capped statewide. Depending on availability, eligible seniors may be placed on a waiting list to receive services.
To apply for the Choice waiver, West Bloomfield seniors can contact
Area Agency on Aging 1-B at (800) 852-7795.