What is the MI Choice Waiver?
MI Choice is Michigan Medicaid's home and community-based services waiver for adults who meet nursing facility level of care. It provides services like those a nursing home would, so people can stay in their own home or another residential setting. Began in 1992 as the Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly and Disabled (HCBS/ED) waiver; available in all Michigan counties since October 1, 1998.
Last verified: October 2026Participants get regular Medicaid benefits plus supports coordination and one or more waiver services:
- Adult day health
- Chore services
- Community living supports
- Counseling
- Home-delivered meals
- Home modifications
- Nursing services
- Personal emergency response systems (PERS)
- Private duty nursing/respiratory care
- Respite services
- Specialized medical equipment and supplies
- Supports coordination
- Training in independent living skills
Source: MDHHS MI Choice Waiver Program
Who runs MI Choice in Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Montcalm and Ionia counties?
MI Choice is administered through regional waiver agencies. Kent, Allegan, Montcalm and Ionia are in Region 8, served by Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, Inc. (616-456-5664) and Reliance Community Care Partners (616-956-9440 or 800-447-3007); Ottawa is in Region 14, served by Senior Resources in Muskegon (231-739-5858) and Reliance.
| Region | Counties | Waiver agents |
|---|---|---|
| Region 8 | Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, Osceola | Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, Inc. -- 3215 Eaglecrest Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, 616-456-5664 Reliance Community Care Partners -- 2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 203, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, 616-956-9440 or 800-447-3007 |
| Region 14 | Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa | Senior Resources -- 560 Seminole Road, Muskegon, MI 49444, 231-739-5858 Reliance Community Care Partners -- 2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 203, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, 616-956-9440 or 800-447-3007 |
Who qualifies for MI Choice?
Applicants must meet Michigan's nursing facility level of care and Medicaid's income and asset criteria; MDHHS describes the program as serving eligible older and disabled adults who would otherwise need nursing home-level care.
The waiver agent does the level-of-care assessment; MDHHS determines Medicaid financial eligibility. For 2026, MDHHS's manual lists an asset limit of $9,950 for one person in the SSI-related categories BEM 400 covers. A person cannot be enrolled in MI Choice and PACE at the same time.
Does MI Choice pay for room and board in a home for the aged or AFC home?
No. Like other Medicaid home and community-based waivers, MI Choice pays for services and supports, not rent and meals; a participant living in a licensed residential setting still pays room and board from income or savings.
Whether a particular adult foster care home or home for the aged works with MI Choice is a question for both the home and the waiver agent -- ask before you sign a residency agreement, because switching homes later to keep waiver services is disruptive. The program also includes respite, home-delivered meals and home modifications that matter more for people still in their own houses.
