PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver Home Care Program

Most older Ohioans prefer to live independently in their own homes, in their communities, surrounded by family and friends, for as long as they can. But, many need some help doing so. Before Medicaid waiver programs, older adults who needed any degree of long-term care typically entered nursing homes. Ohio's PASSPORT Medicaid waiver program helps Medicaid-eligible older Ohioans get the long-term services and supports they need to stay in their homes.

PASSPORT is a two-pronged program. The first part is a pre-admission screening during which interested consumers are screened by telephone to determine preliminary Medicaid eligibility and care needs. They are also provided information about the variety of long-term care options available.

The second part of PASSPORT is home care. Once a consumer is determined eligible a case manager works with him or her to develop a package of in-home services to be provided by local service providers. The case manager then monitors the care for quality and changes the care plan as necessary.

Eligible PASSPORT participants are:

Age 60 or better;
Financially eligible for Medicaid institutional care (For 2008, this means typically earning no more than $1,911 per month for one person and having no more than $1,500 in countable assets, though individuals above this limit may be eligible based on the extent of their medical and in-home needs);
Frail enough to require a nursing home level of care; and
Able to remain safely at home with the consent of their physician.

The cost of PASSPORT services for each participant cannot exceed 60 percent of the cost of nursing home care. Some costs incurred by the state for PASSPORT care may be subject to estate recovery.

For more information and to determine your eligibility, contact the PASSPORT Administrative Agency serving your area.

Ohio Department of Aging

PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver Home Care Program

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