Public Benefits

MDHHS also has a program for those who need help with activities of daily living. In this program, people with disabilities would be able to choose who their providers are.

DHHS Home Health Program

You can contact your local MDHHS office to fill out an application. Find your local MDHHS Office

More information about choosing your provider can be found here.

More information about the application for providers can be found here.

People with disabilities have access to publicly funded medical coverage through Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid covers people with low income and resources. People with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify for Medicaid. There are many other ways to qualify.
Below are resources regarding information on the Medicaid program:
1. medicaid.gov
2. MDHHS Assistance Handbook (SEE pages 4-10)
3. MDHHS Medicaid Website
4. Freedom to Work

There are several different types of Medicaid plans. One of those plans is the Healthy Michigan Plan. You can contact your local MDHHS office to fill out an application. Find your local MDHHS Office. 

In some cases, you may have to pay for some services in advance before you can receive Medicaid. This is called a deductible or spenddown. The deductible form can be found here. In other cases, you may qualify for a Medicaid Waiver. Two common ones are the MI Choice Waiver and the Children’s Waiver program. These waivers provide enhanced services but may not be available for everyone. Additional resources: Children’s Special Health Care Services 

Medicaid Renewals Are Back

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) put a halt on Medicaid terminations. Now that the public health emergency is officially ending, MDHHS will have to review thousands of files to determine whether the individual or household are still eligible for Medicaid.  Below are some steps you must take to make certain that your rights are protected in this process.

• Be sure your address, phone number, and email address are up to date.
• Always report any changes in your household or income.
• Learn more

The best way to update your information is online at Michigan.gov/MIBridges. You can also call your local MDHHS office. Visit the MDHHS County Office webpage to find your local office information at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/county-offices

If you do not have an online account for MI Bridges to access your Medicaid case or report changes, visit www.michigan.gov/mibridges to sign up for a MI Bridges account. If you already have a MI Bridges account, creating new accounts will limit the information you can see. We strongly suggest using your original account if you are the Head of Household.

 Remember! Head of Households can see case information and report changes to the case information.  If you are not Head of Household, you will only be able to see resource information.

If you get a renewal packet, be sure to fill it out, sign the forms, and send them by the due date with any proof needed. If you do not complete your renewal, you may lose your Medicaid coverage. If MDHHS completes a review and you no longer qualify, you should contact Disability Rights Michigan to discuss your rights.

Assistance

If you feel your rights have been violated when applying or getting services through Medicaid, you may file for a local appeal. If the appeal is denied you may file for Medicaid State Fair Hearing. More information about filing an appeal and Medicaid State Fair Hearings can be found here:

• Medicaid Fair Hearing Appeal Form PDF DOCTXT
• Medicaid Hearing Brochure

People with disabilities have access to publicly funded medical coverage through Medicaid and Medicare. Medicare covers people who turn 65 or people with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
There are four parts for Medicare coverage:
1. Part A provides inpatient and hospital coverage.
2.  Part B provides outpatient and medical coverage.
3. Part C is an alternate way to receive benefits. It is more commonly known as a Medicare Advantage Plan.
4. Part D provides prescription drug coverage.

Below are more resources for the Medicare program:

• medicare.gov
  
• cms.gov
• https://medicareadvocacy.org/
• http://meji.org/topics/medicare
• https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/
• Medicare Savings Program
• Medicare & You: the complete guide to Medicare by SSA, in numerous languages and formats.

For any questions about Medicare and Medicaid you can contact the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) at https://mmapinc.org/  or at 1.800.803.7174.
For more information and toolkits regarding public assistance programs you can go to Michigan Legal Help.