Medicaid is a nationwide public health insurance program that provides coverage to over 65 million Americans, including low-income families, pregnant women and seniors. In Ohio, nearly 2.5 million people are enrolled in Medicaid. Ohio Medicaid provides coverage for a long list of medical services, including emergency room visits, hospital services, medical equipment, preventive services and vision care. It may also pay for assisted living services through a waiver. Some services are limited to a certain number of visits or dollar amounts, and in some cases, a small copay may be required. Seniors who live in Mentor may be eligible for Medicaid coverage if they earn less than $771 per month and have less than $2,000 in assets. Married couples may qualify if they earn less than $1,157 monthly and own less than $3,000 in assets. Many types of assets, such as a senior’s primary home, personal belongings, household furnishings and one car, don’t count towards this asset cap. There are many ways to apply for Ohio Medicaid. Seniors may choose to:
To learn more, call the Ohio Department of Medicaid’s
Consumer Hotline at (800) 324-8680.
Assisted Living Waiver Ohio’s
Assisted Living Waiver may help seniors pay for assisted living care. The waiver pays for the services seniors receive in
assisted living facilities, including personal care, nursing, transportation and social programming. Seniors are responsible for their own room and board. The waiver also provides community transition services to seniors who want to move to assisted living from a nursing home. Seniors who need hands-on assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing or grooming, may be eligible for this waiver if they meet the program’s
financial requirements. Single seniors may qualify if they earn less than $2,313 per month and have less than $2,000 in assets. Married couples who both need waiver services may qualify if their income is less than $4,626 per month and they own less than $3,000 in assets. When only one spouse is applying, the other is allowed to have up to $126,420 in assets. To apply for this program, call the
Lake County Area Agency on Aging at (440) 205-8111. The AAA conducts a telephone screening and an in-person assessment. Financial eligibility is then determined by the county Department of Job and Family Services. For more information about the waiver, call (440) 205-8111 to speak with a
Lake County Area Agency on Aging representative.