Michigan Raises Asset Caps on Long-Term Care Programs

Until now, Michiganders with a high level of care needs had to show they had $2,000 or less in savings to qualify for Medicaid-based programs like MI Choice and PACE. Both are long-term care programs that enable people receive care in their home.

Those asset limits held for decades.

Now, the limits have been greatly increased, making those programs more accessible to adults with disabilities and older adults who require a nursing home-level of care. The asset limits will be on par with Medicare Savings Programs’ eligibility requirements for lower-income beneficiaries. They will rise with cost-of-living increases, as well.

The new asset limits:

• $9,660 for individuals
• $14,470 for couples

Assets are defined as bank accounts, stocks and bonds, and real estate.

A person’s home, furniture and other household goods, and vehicles are not considered assets.

For married couples, assets will be looked at differently. Rules related to “spousal impoverishment” mean that the spouse not receiving care may be able to set some assets aside.

Income is a factor, too, in eligibility: As of 2025, a single individual is allowed up to $2,901 per month in income. The level of care needed is also considered. To qualify for a program like MI Choice, a person must need a nursing home-level of care.

“This increase in the asset limits allows more older adults and people with disabilities to qualify for Medicaid programs, like MI Choice, says Margaret Ouellette, AgeWays’ Director of Clinical Operations for MI Choice.  “We hope to better serve those who need our help.”

The MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program

This home-based long-term care program is designed for adults 65 and older and adults with disabilities. It helps people who might otherwise be in a nursing facility get care at home.

AgeWays is one provider of the MI Choice program in our service area. EasterSeals/MORC is another local organization that provides the MI Choice program.

Once a person is enrolled, a supports coordinator helps to put together a person-centered care plan that could include help with personal care, chore services and shopping, transportation, nursing care, and specialized medical equipment and supplies.

AgeWays supports about 1,000 MI Choice participants.

As of February, 12,698 people are enrolled in MI Choice statewide.

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)

PACE is designed for people 55 and older who are medically eligible for nursing home-level care but who can live safely in the community. PACE provides some care in the home, but care also takes place at a PACE Center. People enrolled in the program must receive their primary medical care through PACE. To qualify for PACE, people must be at a nursing home-level of care, meet income and asset eligibility (the same as those for the MI Choice program), and live in a zip code served by a PACE Center.

5,740 older Michiganders are enrolled in PACE.

Home Help

The Home Help program, administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is designed to support individuals in their home by providing funding to hire help. Eligibility requires that the person is on Community Medicaid and needs assistance with personal care, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, and medication management.

About 53,000 Michiganders are in the program in any given month.

What about ‘regular’ Medicaid?

Community Medicaid, or the Medicaid program that covers health care for low-income children and adults between the ages of 18 and 64, is based on annual income; it does not have asset limit requirements.