Trusted Home & Community-Based Services
Project Choices offers in-home and community care options through MI Choice, the Care Management program, or Case Coordination and Supports. In most cases, a nurse and social worker team assist eligible individuals and their supports to design a plan of care. Coordinating and providing key services, while respecting each individual’s right to choose their own options, supports participants’ desire to remain at home or live in the setting of their choice. Programs within Project Choices will:
- Assess participant health status
- Assess participant social needs
- Link participants with services and programs
- Seek ways to support and assist caregivers
- Monitor service quality
- Respect the rights of participants to be involved in their plan of care
MI Choice
MI Choice offers adults eligible for a nursing facility the option of receiving long-term care in the home or community setting of their choice. After assessment, a nurse and social worker team will help eligible individuals develop a plan of care specific to them.
Eligibility Requirements:
- 65 and older, or 18 years of age and older with a disability
- Functionally eligible to be in a nursing home but choosing to live in a community setting such as a house, apartment, or assisted living
- Eligible for long-term care Medicaid
- In need of services and supports to help you at home and in the community
Services to be covered under the MI-Choice (in addition to those currently covered under traditional Medicaid):
- Adult Day Health
- Assistive Technology
- Chore Services
- Community Health Worker
- Community Living Supports
- Community Transportation
- Counseling (mental health)
- Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
- Fiscal Intermediary (Self Determination only)
- Goods and Services (Self Determination only)
- Home Delivered Meals
- Nursing Services
- Personal Emergency Response Systems
- Private Duty Nursing/Respiratory Care
- Residential Services
- Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Supports Coordination
- Supports Brokerage
- Training Services (for participant and/or caregivers)
- Vehicle modifications
Care Management
The Care Management program provides a connection to an array of home and community-based services to assist older adults to live in the community setting of their choice. Services may include personal care, homemaking, and relief for caregivers. Supports Coordinators help discuss all available options.
Eligibility requirements:
- 60 years of age and older
- Medically complex or in need of services
- No income eligibility requirements for most services
Case Coordination and Supports
Case Coordination is available for those 60 and older who can benefit from limited support. A Coordinator conducts an assessment and can arrange in-home services for eligible persons who need some assistance with personal care, homemaking, or need respite from caregiving.
Eligibility requirements:
- 60 years of age and older
- In need of services
- Priority given to those with limited income and assets
How Do I Contact Project Choices?
Call the Tri-County Office on Aging and ask for Project Choices. The Intake Specialist, as part of an initial screening, will ask several questions about your, (or the person for whom you are calling) health and ability to do everyday tasks. The screen will determine your eligibility for an assessment. If you are eligible for an assessment you will either be referred to the scheduler or placed on a waiting list, if the program is at capacity. To see if you, a family member, or a friend qualifies call 517.887.1440 or Toll free 1.800.405.9141.
Please Note: Project Choices programs may have a waitlist. This is an area of high need, and the length of the wait depends upon the number of people waiting to enroll and the amount of available government funding.
How Much Will This Cost?
Many services are covered by federal, state and local funding. Project Choices is in part funded by the Bureau of Aging, Community Living, and Supports (ACLS Bureau) and the MI Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). In some cases, local fundraising dollars also help pay for services. Services can be arranged and purchased for participants age 18 and older who meet the medical and financial requirements of the MI Choice Program. For others, private pay and insurance payment are an option. Any services offered that could have a cost will be clearly explained and will not be arranged without approval.
Confidentiality & Legal Rights
Project Choices respects the confidentiality of all participants; information is shared only with the participant’s consent. Participants also have the right to appeal decisions concerning eligibility, services and providers.
For MI Choice: MICPOP (MI Choice and PACE Ombudsman Program) will assist individuals with issues including enrollment, disenrollment, eligibility, adequacy and quality of services, self-determination (when available), coordination of services with other programs and benefits, grievances and appeals, and other issues. Individuals can call the MICPOP hotline, (888) 746-6456, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays).
Please contact TCOA at (517) 887-1440 for more information.