Ohio Medicaid HCBS waivers pay for nursing-home-level care delivered at home or in the community instead of in an institution. If your parent qualifies for a nursing facility but wants to stay home, a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver is the program that pays for it. Ohio runs several under the federal HCBS waiver authority (Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act), plus a managed-care overlay, Next Generation MyCare, that absorbs some of those waivers for people on both Medicare and Medicaid.
The waivers split into two universes run by two agencies. The aged-and-disabled universe is run by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) and the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM): it holds PASSPORT (older adults at home), the Assisted Living Waiver (older adults in licensed Residential Care Facilities), and the Ohio Home Care Waiver (adults under 60 with disabilities). The developmental disability universe is run by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and the County Boards of DD: it holds the Individual Options Waiver, the Level One Waiver, and the Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waiver. Sitting across both for dual eligibles is the MyCare Ohio Waiver, which folds PASSPORT and the Ohio Home Care Waiver into a single managed-care benefit in MyCare counties.
This guide is the anchor overview: which waiver fits which person, what each covers and excludes, the eligibility figures, how to apply, and how the waivers interact. The companion pieces go deeper on each: PASSPORT, the Assisted Living Waiver, the Ohio Home Care Waiver, and the MyCare overlay. For the application process, see how to apply for Ohio Medicaid.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio runs six HCBS waivers plus the MyCare Ohio managed-care overlay. The aged-and-disabled side is run by ODA and ODM; the developmental disability side is run by DODD through County Boards of DD.
- PASSPORT serves community-residing Ohioans age 60 or older who meet nursing facility level of care (NF LOC), with an individual cost limit of $14,700 per month for waiver services.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03
- The Assisted Living Waiver pays for the assisted-living service package in a Medicaid-participating licensed Residential Care Facility, but never room and board, which is capped at $944 per month in 2026.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). Ohio Administrative Code 5160-33-03 — Eligibility for the Medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 26, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-33-03
- The Ohio Home Care Waiver (OHCW) serves Ohioans from birth through age 59 who have a disability and meet NF LOC; enrollees move to PASSPORT within 120 days after turning 60.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-46-02 — Ohio home care waiver program: eligibility and enrollment (Ohio Laws / codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-46-02
- The MyCare Ohio Waiver folds PASSPORT and OHCW into the Next Generation MyCare FIDE-SNP plan for full-dual eligibles age 21 and older; ODM rolled it out in 29 counties on January 1, 2026 and is expanding statewide by August 1, 2026.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf
- The DODD waivers are the Individual Options Waiver (comprehensive supports), the Level One Waiver (lower-intensity supports), and the SELF Waiver (self-direction). All three serve the developmental disability population and require ICF/IID level of care.
- Every HCBS waiver requires financial and clinical eligibility. Financially: monthly income at or below the Special Income Level of $2,982 in 2026 (with a Miller Trust if over income) and countable resources at or below $2,000 for a single applicant.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). CMS CMCS Informational Bulletin — Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards (April 27, 2026). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Jul 10, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib04272026.pdf Clinically: NF LOC for the aged-and-disabled waivers, ICF/IID LOC for the DODD waivers.
The Two Universes
Ohio's HCBS waivers run through two separate administrative pipelines. The aged-and-disabled pipeline is run by ODA and ODM, with the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) as the intake and case-management body. The developmental disability pipeline is run by DODD, with the County Board of Developmental Disabilities filling that role. Families often learn this the hard way, applying for PASSPORT when they need the County Board, or the reverse. Knowing which pipeline applies before the first call saves weeks.
The simplest rule, by who qualifies for which:
- Developmental disability present before age 22 (intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury before 22, or similar): go to the County Board of Developmental Disabilities for the DODD waivers (IO, Level One, SELF), which require ICF/IID level of care.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-46-02 — Ohio home care waiver program: eligibility and enrollment (Ohio Laws / codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-46-02
- Older adult age 60 or older needing personal care, homemaking, or community supports because of frailty, chronic illness, or age-related disability: go to the local AAA for PASSPORT or the Assisted Living Waiver.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03
- Adult from birth through age 59 with a non-developmental disability (multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, ALS, stroke-related disability, complex medical conditions) needing community supports: go to ODM for the Ohio Home Care Waiver.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-46-02 — Ohio home care waiver program: eligibility and enrollment (Ohio Laws / codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-46-02
Edge cases (someone with both an intellectual disability and a separate age-related condition, or a disability that surfaced in adulthood) often need a call to both DODD and ODA. Both agencies redirect people routinely, so starting at the wrong door costs only a phone call.
The Ohio Medicaid Waivers at a Glance
| Waiver | Target population | Age | Level of care | Setting | Administrator | Intake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PASSPORT | Older adults in community | 60+ | Nursing Facility | Home or community | ODA via AAA | 1-866-243-5678 |
| Assisted Living Waiver | Adults in Medicaid-participating RCF | 21+ | Nursing Facility | Licensed Residential Care Facility | ODA via AAA | 1-866-243-5678 |
| Ohio Home Care Waiver | Adults with disabilities in community | 0-59 | Nursing Facility | Home or community | ODM | 1-800-324-8680 |
| MyCare Ohio Waiver | Dual eligibles in MyCare counties | 21+ | NF (continues PASSPORT/OHCW LOC) | Home or community | ODM via MyCare FIDE-SNP plans | MyCare plan or 1-800-324-8680 |
| Individual Options Waiver | Developmental disability, comprehensive | All ages | ICF/IID | Home, family home, congregate, or independent | DODD via County Board of DD | County Board of DD |
| Level One Waiver | DD, lower-intensity supports | All ages | ICF/IID | Family home or own home | DODD via County Board of DD | County Board of DD |
| SELF Waiver | DD, self-direction model | All ages | ICF/IID | Home or community | DODD via County Board of DD | County Board of DD |
PASSPORT: The Aged Community Waiver
PASSPORT (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today) is Ohio's most-used HCBS pathway for community-based long-term care for older adults. It is a Section 1915(c) waiver created under Ohio Revised Code 173.52 and governed by Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 5160-31. It is run by the Ohio Department of Aging through Ohio's Area Agencies on Aging.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03
Who qualifies:
- An Ohio resident age 60 or older at enrollmentOhio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03
- Meets nursing facility level of care (intermediate or skilled, under OAC 5160-3-08), assessed by the AAA
- Meets Ohio Medicaid financial eligibility at the institutional level: monthly income at or below the Special Income Level of $2,982 in 2026, with a Miller Trust for over-income applicants, and countable resources at or below $2,000 for a single applicant ($3,000 if both spouses apply); spousal-impoverishment rules protect a community spouseCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). CMS CMCS Informational Bulletin — Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards (April 27, 2026). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Jul 10, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib04272026.pdf
- An individual cost limit for waiver services not exceeding $14,700 per monthOhio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03
- Lives in a community setting (home, apartment, family member's home), not a nursing facility or RCF
Services covered: PASSPORT covers 21 service categories under OAC 5160-31-05, including personal care, homemaker services, adult day services, home-delivered meals, transportation, a personal emergency response system, environmental modifications (ramps, grab bars), respite care, home health aide services, and the Choices Home Care Attendant Service and Consumer-Directed Personal Care Service for participants who choose self-direction (see Ohio consumer direction).Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03
Intake: Call 1-866-243-5678 to reach the local AAA, which performs the clinical assessment, refers the financial application to the County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS), builds the service plan, and assigns a case manager. PASSPORT is the most common entry point into Ohio's long-term services system for older adults.
The Assisted Living Waiver
The Ohio Assisted Living Waiver is a Section 1915(c) waiver under OAC Chapter 5160-33. It pays a Medicaid-participating, licensed Residential Care Facility for the assisted-living service package, but never for room and board.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). Ohio Administrative Code 5160-33-03 — Eligibility for the Medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 26, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-33-03
Who qualifies:
- An adult Ohio resident age 21 or olderOhio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). Ohio Administrative Code 5160-33-03 — Eligibility for the Medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 26, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-33-03
- Meets nursing facility level of care
- Meets Ohio Medicaid institutional financial eligibility: income at or below the $2,982 Special Income Level and resources at or below $2,000 for a single applicantCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). CMS CMCS Informational Bulletin — Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards (April 27, 2026). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Jul 10, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib04272026.pdf
- Lives in (or is moving into) a Medicaid-participating, licensed Residential Care Facility in Ohio
What it covers: personal care, medication oversight, some meals, housekeeping, social activities, and limited skilled-nursing oversight within the assisted-living model. Room and board is excluded. Under OAC 5160-33-03, a participating RCF cannot charge more than the SSI federal benefit rate minus $50, which is $944 per month in 2026; the resident pays that from income.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). Ohio Administrative Code 5160-33-03 — Eligibility for the Medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 26, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-33-03
The key constraint: the waiver pays a defined per-diem to the RCF, well below most private-pay rates, and facilities participate voluntarily. The participating-facility list is shorter than the full list of licensed RCFs in Ohio, so confirm a specific RCF participates and has an open Medicaid bed before counting on this waiver.
Intake: through the local AAA at 1-866-243-5678, coordinated with the RCF's admissions team. This waiver is the bridge between private-pay assisted living and full Medicaid coverage for someone who needs more support than PASSPORT provides at home.
The Ohio Home Care Waiver (OHCW)
The Ohio Home Care Waiver is a Section 1915(c) waiver run by ODM under OAC Chapters 5160-44, 5160-45, and 5160-46. It serves Ohioans from birth through age 59 who meet nursing facility level of care and live in the community. Enrollees are disenrolled no later than 120 days after their 60th birthday and offered a transition to PASSPORT.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-46-02 — Ohio home care waiver program: eligibility and enrollment (Ohio Laws / codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-46-02
Who qualifies:
- An Ohio resident from birth through age 59 with a qualifying disabilityOhio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-46-02 — Ohio home care waiver program: eligibility and enrollment (Ohio Laws / codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-46-02
- Meets nursing facility level of care (intermediate or skilled), determined by a comprehensive assessment under OAC Chapter 5160-45, not the PASSPORT instrumentOhio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-46-02 — Ohio home care waiver program: eligibility and enrollment (Ohio Laws / codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-46-02
- Meets Ohio Medicaid institutional financial eligibility: income at or below $2,982 per month and resources at or below $2,000 for a single applicantCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). CMS CMCS Informational Bulletin — Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards (April 27, 2026). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Jul 10, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib04272026.pdf
- Lives in a community setting
What it covers: a service package like PASSPORT's, scaled to younger adults with disabilities: personal care, home modifications, durable medical equipment beyond standard Medicaid coverage, respite, home-delivered meals where appropriate, and the consumer-direction service options.
Intake: through the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680. Case management is provided by an ODM-designated contractor, a MyCare Ohio plan, or ODM itself. Many applicants are referred by hospital discharge planners, SSI/SSDI representatives, or vocational rehabilitation. For adults under 60 with serious disabilities, OHCW is often the only Medicaid pathway to community-based long-term supports.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-46-02 — Ohio home care waiver program: eligibility and enrollment (Ohio Laws / codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-46-02
The MyCare Ohio Waiver: The Managed-Care Overlay
The MyCare Ohio Waiver is structurally different from the others. Rather than a stand-alone HCBS waiver, MyCare uses managed care to deliver an integrated Medicare-and-Medicaid benefit through a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE-SNP). It does not create new HCBS services: it continues the PASSPORT or OHCW services a participant was already receiving, delivered through the participant's MyCare plan instead of ODA/ODM fee-for-service.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf
Who qualifies:
- A full-dual eligible age 21 or older with full Medicaid and Medicare Parts A, B, and DCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf
- Lives in a MyCare county. Next Generation MyCare launched in 29 counties on January 1, 2026 and is expanding to the rest of Ohio from April 1 through August 1, 2026Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf
- Meets PASSPORT or OHCW clinical eligibility (NF LOC)
- Enrolled in a MyCare FIDE-SNP plan. For plan year 2026, three plans are available statewide to new members: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, CareSource, and Molina Healthcare of Ohio. Buckeye Health Plan is not an option for new members in 2026, and Aetna Better Health of Ohio and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan stopped being MyCare Ohio plans on December 31, 2025Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf
What it covers: continuation of PASSPORT or OHCW services, plus all standard Medicare and Medicaid services, plus the integrated care coordination the FIDE-SNP model provides.
Intake: most participants enter through auto-enrollment, which moves full-dual eligibles into MyCare plans unless they opt out. Voluntary enrollment is available through the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 or directly through the plans: Anthem 833-727-2169, CareSource 855-475-3163, and Molina 866-856-8295.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf For dual eligibles in MyCare counties, MyCare is the operational form of HCBS coverage even though the underlying authority remains PASSPORT or OHCW, which matters for service plans, appeals, and provider participation.
The DODD Waivers: Individual Options, Level One, SELF
Three DODD waivers serve the developmental disability population through Ohio's County Boards of Developmental Disabilities under the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. All three require ICF/IID level of care and Ohio Medicaid institutional financial eligibility (income at or below $2,982 per month and resources at or below $2,000 for a single applicant).Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). CMS CMCS Informational Bulletin — Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards (April 27, 2026). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Jul 10, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib04272026.pdf
Individual Options (IO) Waiver
The IO Waiver is the comprehensive DODD waiver, with the broadest service package and the highest expenditure ceiling. It supports people with developmental disabilities in settings from family homes to leased apartments to small group homes.
Service package: homemaker and personal care, residential supports, adult day services, respite, vocational habilitation, supported employment, transportation, environmental modifications, assistive technology, behavioral supports, nursing services, and participant-direction options.
Eligibility: a developmental disability under DODD rules (typically manifests before age 22), ICF/IID level of care, and Ohio Medicaid institutional financial eligibility.
Waitlist: the IO Waiver has historically had multi-year waitlists in many counties. DODD's waitlist reform initiative has been aligning county practices statewide. The County Board of DD reports your current waitlist position.
Level One Waiver
The Level One Waiver is the lower-intensity DODD waiver, for people with developmental disabilities living in the family home or their own home with relatively lower support needs.
Service package: homemaker and personal care, adult day services, respite, transportation, limited environmental modifications and assistive technology, and supported employment, all at a smaller scale than the IO Waiver, under an annual expenditure cap.
Eligibility: a developmental disability, ICF/IID level of care, and Ohio Medicaid institutional financial eligibility.
SELF Waiver
The Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waiver is DODD's self-direction model. The individual or representative manages a budget, hires support workers, and directs services.
Service package: service categories similar to the IO Waiver, with budget authority vested in the participant or representative.
Eligibility: a developmental disability, ICF/IID level of care, financial eligibility, and demonstrated capacity (with supports as needed) to direct the service plan.
DODD Intake
All three DODD waivers are accessed through the County Board of Developmental Disabilities in the applicant's county. The County Board determines DODD eligibility, conducts the ICF/IID level-of-care assessment, develops the Individual Service Plan, assigns a Service and Support Administrator (SSA) as case manager, and coordinates with CDJFS for the financial application. Find your County Board at dodd.ohio.gov.
How HCBS Waivers Interact With Nursing Facility Medicaid
A nursing-facility-Medicaid resident moving back to the community can enroll in PASSPORT (age 60+), OHCW (under 60 with a qualifying disability), or a DODD waiver. Ohio's Money Follows the Person program, HOME Choice, supports these transitions.
In the reverse direction, a waiver participant whose needs exceed the community waiver's scope can move to nursing facility Medicaid. This commonly happens when:
- The clinical condition deteriorates past what community services can safely support
- The plan-of-care cost would exceed the waiver's expenditure limit (PASSPORT's is $14,700 per month)Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03
- The primary informal caregiver is no longer available
- A specific need (24-hour skilled monitoring, behavioral safety, complex wound care) cannot be safely met at home
The transition under the same Medicaid eligibility is routine financially, though the patient-liability calculation changes because the personal needs allowance differs by setting. See Ohio nursing homes for the nursing facility side.
How HCBS Waivers Interact With Medicare
Medicare covers limited long-term services and supports. Medicare home health (under 42 CFR Part 484) is short-term, intermittent, and requires homebound status plus a skilled need; it does not substitute for an HCBS waiver. Medicare nursing facility coverage is short-term post-acute care, not long-term custodial care. Medicare Advantage plans may offer some non-medical home care hours, but those are plan-specific and do not replace the waiver pathway.
For dual eligibles (Medicare plus Medicaid), Medicare is primary for medical services and the HCBS waiver is the source of long-term community-based supports. In MyCare counties both are integrated under the Next Generation MyCare FIDE-SNP plan for full-dual eligibles age 21 and older.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf For more on the home care versus home health distinction, see Ohio home care vs. home health.
Application Pathway in Brief
The detailed procedural guide is at how to apply for Ohio Medicaid. The HCBS waiver application runs along two tracks that must converge:
- Financial track: the LTC Medicaid application (ODM 07400 plus the LTC supplement) filed with the County Department of Job and Family Services or through benefits.ohio.gov. CDJFS reviews income, resources, and the 60-month lookback for asset transfers under OAC 5160:1-6-06.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC Rule 5160:1-6-06. codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 25, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160:1-6-06
- Clinical track: the level-of-care assessment for aged-and-disabled waivers, or the County Board of DD eligibility determination plus ICF/IID assessment for DODD waivers. For aged-and-disabled waivers, the AAA also builds the service plan and assigns the case manager.
Once both tracks are approved, enrollment is finalized and services begin. Consumer-direction participants complete the Public Partnerships LLC enrollment for fiscal management at the service-plan stage.
What Ohio Medicaid Waivers Do Not Cover
Even the most generous Ohio HCBS waiver does not cover:
- 24-hour one-on-one care in the home. Waivers cover defined personal care hours, but expenditure caps prevent full 24-hour staffing in most cases.
- Room and board in any setting. Waivers cover services, not housing; Assisted Living Waiver residents pay capped room and board of $944 per month in 2026 from their income.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). Ohio Administrative Code 5160-33-03 — Eligibility for the Medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 26, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-33-03
- Long-term care insurance premiums.
- Medical services Medicaid covers separately. Those are billed under standard Medicaid.
- Services Medicare should pay. Medicare is primary for dual eligibles on Medicare-covered services.
- Custodial nursing facility care. That is institutional Medicaid, not an HCBS waiver.
These limits reflect the program's purpose: to deliver community-based services as an alternative to institutional placement, not to replace family caregiving or housing.
Cost-Effectiveness: Why Each Waiver Has a Plan-of-Care Cap
Every Section 1915(c) HCBS waiver must satisfy federal cost-neutrality: CMS approves a waiver only if the average cost of serving its population in the community does not exceed the cost of serving them in the institutional alternative. This is the federal gatekeeper that constrains waiver expansion.
Ohio implements cost-neutrality through individual plan-of-care expenditure ceilings. PASSPORT, for example, sets an individual cost limit of $14,700 per month.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03 When a participant's needs would exceed the cap, the choice is to prioritize within the cap, request an exception where waiver rules allow, or transition to nursing facility care. Families sometimes discover, after months of participation, that a loved one's needs are outgrowing what the waiver can fund. The cap is structural, not arbitrary, and understanding it before enrolling reduces the shock of a later transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ohio HCBS waiver should I apply for?
For older adults age 60 or older living in the community who need personal care and homemaking, the answer is almost always PASSPORT. For adults who meet nursing facility level of care and live in or are moving to a Medicaid-participating Residential Care Facility, it is the Assisted Living Waiver. For adults under 60 with a non-developmental disability who need community-based long-term supports, it is the Ohio Home Care Waiver. For people with a developmental disability, it is one of the DODD waivers (Individual Options, Level One, or SELF) through the County Board of Developmental Disabilities. For full-dual eligibles in MyCare counties, the MyCare Ohio Waiver folds PASSPORT or OHCW services into the integrated MyCare benefit.
What does "nursing facility level of care" mean for the aged-and-disabled waivers?
Nursing facility level of care (NF LOC) is the clinical eligibility standard for PASSPORT, the Assisted Living Waiver, OHCW, and MyCare. It means that without the waiver services, the person would qualify for nursing facility placement. The assessment evaluates activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, eating, continence), instrumental activities of daily living (meal preparation, medication management, housekeeping, transportation), cognitive function, medical complexity, and the availability of informal supports. People meet NF LOC for different reasons: advanced dementia, physical functional limitations, or complex medical needs.
How long is the waitlist for Ohio HCBS waivers?
Waitlist status varies by waiver and year. PASSPORT, the Assisted Living Waiver, and the Ohio Home Care Waiver have generally been accessible without lengthy waits, though available Medicaid beds at participating RCFs can constrain effective access to the Assisted Living Waiver. DODD waivers, especially the Individual Options Waiver, have historically had multi-year waitlists in many counties; the County Board of DD reports your current position. The MyCare Ohio Waiver has no waitlist because it absorbs existing PASSPORT and OHCW services. For current status, contact the relevant intake agency.
Can someone be on more than one Ohio HCBS waiver?
No. Each person can be enrolled in only one HCBS waiver at a time, and PASSPORT rules specifically bar simultaneous enrollment in another Medicaid HCBS program, the residential state supplement program, or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC 5160-31-03 — Eligibility for enrollment in the PASSPORT HCBS waiver program (codes.ohio.gov). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-31-03 A person can transition between waivers as circumstances change (an OHCW enrollee turning 60 moves to PASSPORT; an IO Waiver participant entering a Medicaid-participating RCF may move to the Assisted Living Waiver), but each transition requires service-plan revision and approval. For dual eligibles in MyCare counties, MyCare absorbs the PASSPORT or OHCW services rather than adding a second waiver.
Can my parent get an HCBS waiver if they own a home?
Yes, with conditions. The home is an exempt asset for Medicaid eligibility while the applicant lives in it, plans to return to it, has a community spouse living in it, or has a blind or disabled child (or a sibling with an equity interest) living in it. Home equity above $752,000 in 2026 creates ineligibility unless a spousal or disabled-child exception applies.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). CMS CMCS Informational Bulletin — Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards (April 27, 2026). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Jul 10, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib04272026.pdf After death, the home may be subject to Ohio's expanded estate recovery, which reaches both probate and non-probate assets for recipients age 55 or older; see the Ohio estate recovery guide.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). Ohio Revised Code Section 5162.21 - Medicaid estate recovery program (codes.ohio.gov, Ohio LSC). codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 23, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5162.21
What is the difference between an HCBS waiver and home health under Medicaid?
Ohio Medicaid covers home health as a stand-alone benefit available to Medicaid recipients without HCBS waiver enrollment. Home health is intermittent skilled nursing, therapy, and home health aide service authorized by a physician and limited to specific medical needs. HCBS waivers cover broader long-term personal care, homemaking, respite, and community supports that are not medically necessary in the home-health sense. A waiver participant may also receive Medicaid home health for skilled needs; the two coexist. For more, see Ohio home care vs. home health.
Can family members be paid to provide HCBS waiver services?
Yes, under specific conditions. Through the consumer-direction options (Choices Home Care Attendant Service and Consumer-Directed Personal Care Service), the participant can hire and direct a paid caregiver, including a family member, who becomes the participant's employee through a Fiscal Management Service (Public Partnerships LLC for the aged-and-disabled waivers). Spouses generally cannot be paid, though a narrow conditional spousal pathway exists. Structured Family Caregiving is a separate model that pays a daily stipend to a live-in non-spouse family caregiver. See Ohio consumer direction and how to get paid as a family caregiver.
How does MyCare Ohio change the HCBS waiver experience?
For full-dual eligibles in MyCare counties, MyCare integrates Medicare and Medicaid coverage, including HCBS waiver services, under one managed-care plan. The underlying waiver authority (PASSPORT or OHCW) still defines the service set, but service delivery, case management, and provider authorization run through the MyCare plan rather than directly through ODA or ODM. For participants this usually means one point of contact, one ID card, and coordinated care planning. The trade-off is that MyCare networks can be narrower than open fee-for-service, and out-of-network providers may need prior authorization. Next Generation MyCare reaches statewide by August 1, 2026.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office — End-of-Demonstration Enrollment Considerations (Sept 10, 2024). cms.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/demonstrationendenrollmentdecisions.pdf
What if my parent gets denied for an HCBS waiver?
A denial can be financial (income or resources above the institutional limit, a transfer penalty, or home equity above the cap) or clinical (failing the NF LOC or ICF/IID determination). The State Hearing appeal process at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is available within the filing window from the date of the adverse notice; file at 1-866-635-3748. For appeals turning on clinical eligibility, current medical records, recent functional assessments, and physician statements matter. The Ohio Legal Aid network provides free legal help for low-income applicants. See how to apply for Ohio Medicaid for the full appeal procedure.
Next Steps for Ohio Families
For families starting an HCBS waiver application:
Identify the correct pipeline
Aged-and-disabled waivers (PASSPORT, Assisted Living, OHCW) go through the AAA; developmental disability waivers (IO, Level One, SELF) go through the County Board of DD. MyCare absorbs PASSPORT or OHCW for dual eligibles in MyCare counties.
Call the intake number
1-866-243-5678 for PASSPORT or the Assisted Living Waiver; 1-800-324-8680 for OHCW or MyCare; the County Board of DD for the DODD waivers.
Start the financial application in parallel
through CDJFS at benefits.ohio.gov, in person at the CDJFS office, or with help from the AAA or County Board.
Gather documentation early
Especially bank statements and resource records covering the 60-month lookback, because documentation gaps are the largest cause of delay.Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (n.d.). OAC Rule 5160:1-6-06. codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved Jun 25, 2026, from https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160:1-6-06
Prepare for the clinical assessment
The assessor reviews ADLs, IADLs, medications, cognitive function, and informal supports for aged-and-disabled waivers; the County Board conducts the developmental disability and functional review for DODD waivers.
Stay engaged during processing
Respond promptly to verification requests and keep your contact information current.
Plan the service mix
Once approved, work with the case manager to balance personal care hours, homemaker support, respite, and any consumer-direction components within the plan-of-care cap.
For deeper coverage, see the companion guides on PASSPORT, the Assisted Living Waiver, the Ohio Home Care Waiver, the MyCare Ohio Waiver, and the Ohio Medicaid hub.
Key Ohio HCBS waiver intake and information contacts, all free:
Learn More
Find personalized help navigating Ohio Medicaid HCBS waivers at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.