Medicaid is a national government health plan for needy Americans and qualified immigrants. It provides mandatory health benefits, such as physician services, hospitalization and long-term care, using funds from the federal and state governments. In Ohio, seniors must meet specific financial requirements to qualify for long-term Medicaid coverage. The income limit is $2,313 a month ($4,626 per couple) and asset limits are $2,000 per person and $3,000 per couple. Income from all sources is considered, although some assets are exempt. Most notably, a home owned by an applicant may be exempt if the applicant and/or their spouse live in the home, and the property is assessed at $585,000 or less. If only one spouse in a married couple requires long-term Medicaid services, any income earned by the non-applicant spouse is disregarded, and they’re subject to a $126,420 asset limit. For more information on Ohio Medicaid, contact the consumer hotline at (800) 324-8680. Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Seniors in Massillon who meet the Medicaid enrollment criteria and require assistance with at least two activities of daily living may be eligible for services through the Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver program. This Medicaid home and community-based waiver provides eligible seniors with supplemental supports and services, such as personal care, housekeeping, skilled nursing, medical equipment and medication management. ALW services are assigned on a case-by-case basis and delivered in an assisted living setting. Note: The ALW covers the cost of enhanced care while seniors remain responsible for the room-and-board portion of their assisted living expenses. Ohio PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver The Preadmission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today program, or PASSPORT, is a nursing home diversion program designed to help seniors aged 60 and older age in place in a noninstitutional setting, such as an assisted living facility. To qualify, seniors must meet the financial criteria for Medicaid enrollment and require the level of care normally provided in a nursing home. Applicants must also have physician certification that the senior can remain in the community safely with supports available through PASSPORT. PASSPORT benefits may include:
- Disposable medical supplies
The PASSPORT waiver allows seniors to self-direct their services by selecting and hiring care providers. The waiver also lets seniors hire family members, including spouses, to perform non-skilled care services, such as personal care and housekeeping. Screening and pre-enrollment assessments for both Medicaid waiver programs are administered by the Area Agency on Aging at no cost to applicants. Seniors who are deemed eligible for a Medicaid waiver are assigned a care manager and services provided according to each participant’s individual care plan. For more information on the ALW or the PASSPORT waiver, call
Direction Home, the Akron-Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities at (800) 421-7277.