Understanding the Michigan Home Help Program

Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program

The Michigan Home Help Program is a Medicaid-funded program that allows eligible adults who need assistance with daily living activities to receive care in their home. Family members or friends may be paid caregivers under this program, as long as they meet eligibility criteria.

This program is for:

• Older adults who need daily living assistance
• Adults with disabilities who require help with daily living tasks
• Individuals living in their own home or a qualified residence (not nursing homes or assisted living facilities)

Care Recipient Eligibility (Person Receiving Care)

To qualify for Michigan’s Home Help Program, the care recipient must:

1. Live in Michigan
2. Be enrolled in Medicaid or eligible to enroll
3. Have a medical need for assistance with daily living
   • Must require help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
4. Live at home or in a private residence (not in a nursing facility or licensed adult care home)
5. Complete medical/needs assessment
   • A state assessor evaluates the level of care needed
   • A physician certification may be required to confirm medical necessity

Daily Tasks That Indicate Eligibility

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Grooming
• Toileting
• Eating
• Mobility/Transferring (moving in/out of bed/chair)

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

• Meal preparation
• Cleaning/housekeeping
• Laundry
• Shopping
• Managing medications
• Assistance with transportation (non-medical)

A person must need help with one or more of these tasks regularly.

Caregiver Eligibility (Person Providing Care)

The Home Help Program allows certain individuals to be paid caregivers. Caregiver requirements:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Must be able and willing to provide hands-on care
• Must pass background checks if required
• Must complete state enrollment requirements (such as CHAMPS registration)
• Must follow program documentation rules, including service time reporting

Caregiver Relationship Rules

Allowed caregivers may include:

• Adult children caring for parents
• Siblings
• Relatives (other than spouse)
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Non-family support persons

Not allowed:

• Spouses cannot be paid caregivers through this program
• Parents cannot be paid to care for their minor children (under 18)

Program Structure and Payment

• Approved hours and payment rates are determined by the state after assessing the care recipient’s needs
• Payment is based on a care plan approved by Medicaid
• The caregiver is paid only for approved tasks performed during authorized hours
• Caregiver must verify hours (using Electronic Visit Verification or approved reporting)
• The program covers non-medical personal care, not skilled nursing

Process Overview

1. Care recipient must qualify for Medicaid or apply
2. State assessment is scheduled to review functional needs
3. Physician statement may be required to confirm need for assistance
4. Care plan and authorized hours are determined
5. Caregiver completes state enrollment/clearance process
6. Caregiver begins providing approved services
7. Caregiver submits time and receives payment based on authorized hours

Key Points

• Designed to support adults who need help to safely live at home
• Helps prevent unnecessary nursing home placement
• Individuals choose their own caregiver, if eligible
• Program focuses on daily living support, not medical treatment
• Eligibility depends on both medical need and Medicaid status
• Payments vary by approved hours and state rate

Important Restrictions and Notes

• Must be medically necessary assistance, not convenience
• Services can't duplicate other paid caregiving services
• Care recipient must participate in reassessments as required
• The program supports independence and safety in the home