Medicaid is the national program that provides basic health care coverage to children, adults and seniors who would otherwise not be able to afford health services. Medicaid is funded by the federal and state governments, and services include emergency, acute and long-term care. In Ohio the Medicaid program is administered by the Ohio Department of Medicaid. Seniors aged 65 and older who earn no more than $2,313 per month, or $4,626 per couple, may qualify for free Medicaid coverage. Medicaid applicants must also meet asset or resource limits of $2,000 per individual and $3,000 per couple when both spouses are seeking Medicaid coverage. Some assets are exempt, including one vehicle, a burial trust worth up to $1,500 and a home, valued at no more than $585,000, in which the applicant lives. For more information, contact the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at (800) 324-8680. Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program Seniors who qualify for free Medicaid coverage and meet the criteria for nursing home placement may be eligible for enrollment in the Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid waiver program. The ALW is designed to help seniors age in place in their communities rather than a nursing home. Under the ALW seniors may be provided with a variety of services designed to support their safety and wellness within an assisted living setting, such as:
- Medication management and administration
- Recreational and social programming
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- A personal emergency response system
- Access to 24-hour support within their assisted living facility
Seniors who are already living at a nursing home and would like to transition to an assisted living facility may also qualify for a community transition service. This service helps seniors move and assists with relocating household items and furniture as needed. To apply for the ALW seniors must complete an application before participating in a telephone screening and an in-person assessment. For more information on the ALW and to request an assessment, contact
Direction Home, the Akron-Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities, at (800) 421-7277.
MyCare Ohio Summit County is one of 88 counties in Ohio that participates in the
MyCare Ohio health plan. This managed care program coordinates care for Ohio residents who receive both Medicaid and
Medicare coverage, and enrollment is mandatory for seniors who meet the eligibility criteria. MyCare Ohio uses an interdisciplinary team approach to identify the unique care needs of each senior in order to streamline service delivery and prevent gaps and overlaps in care. Seniors who are enrolled in MyCare Ohio have a case manager who acts as a point of contact for all Medicaid- and Medicare-funded services and programs, including seniors who are enrolled in the Assisted Living Medicaid waiver. For more information on Ohio Medicaid, MyCare Ohio and the Assisted Living waiver, contact the
Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at (800) 324-8680.