Michigan Medicaid Waivers & Home and Community Based Programs Overview

Michigan, known as The Great Lakes State, has a well-developed Medicaid Waiver and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) system designed to provide long-term care alternatives for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions.

Administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the state's Medicaid HCBS waivers allow eligible participants to receive care in their homes or community settings instead of institutional facilities. Key waiver programs include the MI Choice Waiver Program, which offers personal care, respite, and assistive technology for seniors and adults with physical disabilities, and the Habilitation Supports Waiver (HSW), which provides residential, employment, and therapeutic services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Other significant programs include the Children’s Waiver Program (CWP), the Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Waiver, and the Autism Benefit for Children, all of which provide specialized, person-centered services. Michigan also emphasizes Self-Determination and Consumer-Directed Community Supports, allowing waiver participants to hire and manage their own caregivers.

Regulatory oversight in Michigan is managed through MDHHS, the Bureau of Medicaid Policy and Health System Innovation, and local Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs), with additional licensing and provider compliance enforcement by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Michigan operates under a Managed Care model, with Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) and Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs) coordinating Medicaid-funded HCBS services to ensure cost-effective and comprehensive care.

The state has also implemented Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for personal care services, reinforcing compliance and accountability in home-based care programs. Providers must navigate Medicaid enrollment, prior authorization requirements, and rigorous quality assurance measures to participate successfully in the state’s HCBS system.

With a strong focus on community integration, person-centered planning, and value-based care, Michigan’s Medicaid waiver programs ensure that individuals receive high-quality, sustainable long-term services while maintaining independence, dignity, and inclusion in their communities.

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Explore Policy and Procedure manual for licensing and certification for your state Medicaid Waiver and HCBS programs here.

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