Does My Loved One Need Medicaid or Medicare to Qualify for the Michigan Home Help Program?

If you're looking into the Michigan Home Help Program to get paid for caring for a family member, one of the most important questions to ask is:

Does my loved one need to have Medicaid or will Medicare work?

The answer is clear: the care recipient must have active Medicaid.
Medicare alone does not qualify someone for the Michigan Home Help Program.

Let’s break down why this matters and what you can do if your loved one isn’t yet enrolled in Medicaid.

🩺 What’s the Difference Between Medicaid and Medicare?

Who it's for:
• Medicaid: Low-income individuals (all ages)
• Medicare: People 65+ or under 65 with certain disabilities

Who runs it:
• Medicaid: State + Federal government
• Medicare: Federal government only

Income requirements:
• Medicaid: Yes
• Medicare: No

Home Help eligibility:
• Medicaid: ✅ Yes
• Medicare: ❌ No

🚫 Why Medicare Alone Doesn’t Qualify

Medicare is a federal health insurance program and does not include long-term personal care services like those provided through Michigan's Home Help Program. Even if your family member is elderly or disabled and has Medicare, they will not qualify for Home Help unless they also have Medicaid.

Many seniors qualify for both this is called being “dual eligible.”
If your loved one is only on Medicare, they may need to apply for Medicaid for Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) in Michigan to qualify.

📝 Not Sure What Your Loved One Has?

It can be confusing to know whether your loved one has Medicaid, Medicare, or both. Here's how to check:

🔍 How to Check Insurance Coverage:

• Look at their MI Health Card – Medicaid cards typically say “MDHHS” and may list a plan like Molina, Meridian, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.

• Log into MI Bridges at https://newmibridges.michigan.gov

• Call the MDHHS local office or the health plan customer service number listed on their card.

If you're still not sure, we may be able to point you in the right direction.

📥 What If They Don’t Have Medicaid?

If your loved one does not currently have Medicaid, they must apply and be approved before you can begin the Home Help caregiver process.

We do not assist with Medicaid applications, but we’ve created a full guide that walks you through how to apply:

👉 Read: How to Apply for Medicaid in Michigan (2025 Guide)

✅ Next Steps: Get Paid to Care for a Loved One

Once your loved one is approved for Medicaid, they may be eligible for the Michigan Home Help Program and you may be able to get paid as their caregiver.

👉 Check eligibility and get started here

💬 Still Have Questions?

Want to know if your loved one’s income qualifies for Medicaid?

👉 Read our guide:
🔗 What Is the Income Limit to Qualify for Michigan Medicaid?