How to Maintain Medicaid Eligibility for the Michigan Home Help Program
The Michigan Home Help Program provides important support for people who need help with daily activities. To stay active in the program, you must keep your Medicaid coverage current. Medicaid is the foundation for Home Help eligibility, and if coverage ends, payments and services will pause until it is reinstated.
Care Plan Inc. helps Michigan caregivers understand how to stay compliant with Medicaid requirements. We pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly for hours approved by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Why Medicaid Must Stay Active
The Home Help Program is funded through Medicaid. MDHHS reviews every participant’s eligibility to confirm that income, assets, and medical need still meet the requirements.
If Medicaid coverage lapses or is terminated, MDHHS cannot pay for care services. This means caregiver payments also stop until coverage is restored.
Keeping Medicaid active ensures there are no interruptions in care or pay.
What Medicaid Reviews Include
MDHHS conducts regular eligibility reviews, also called redeterminations, to confirm your financial and medical status. These reviews usually happen once per year, but you can be reviewed sooner if your income or living situation changes.
You will receive a letter from MDHHS when it is time to renew. This notice will list what documents you need to provide.
Typical documents include
Proof of income, such as pay stubs or benefit statements
Bank statements or verification of assets
Updated identification or Social Security card
Current medical documentation for ongoing conditions
How to Renew Medicaid on Time
The best way to maintain Medicaid eligibility is to renew early. Once you receive your renewal notice, gather your documents right away.
You can submit your renewal through MI Bridges online or by working directly with your MDHHS caseworker. Always keep copies of what you send.
If you have questions about required documents, contact your local MDHHS office before the due date. Missing a deadline can cause a temporary lapse in coverage.
Learn about financial limits in Michigan Medicaid Income 2025
What Happens if Medicaid Lapses
If your Medicaid coverage stops, Home Help services and payments pause automatically. However, this does not mean you lose eligibility forever. Once coverage is reinstated, services and payments can resume.
For example, if your coverage ends because of missing paperwork, submitting the missing documents quickly can restore your case. Once MDHHS confirms your Medicaid is active again, your Home Help hours will be reinstated.
Common Reasons Medicaid Coverage Ends
Missed renewal deadlines
Families often miss renewal dates because the notice was overlooked. Always mark the renewal month on your calendar.Unreported income changes
If income increases, MDHHS must review whether you still qualify. Not reporting income can cause a delay or overpayment.Incomplete or missing documents
Even a missing signature or outdated ID can hold up renewal.Address changes not reported
Renewal notices are mailed, so failing to update your address can cause missed deadlines.
To avoid these problems, notify your caseworker whenever your income, address, or living situation changes. Learn more in How to Report Changes That Affect Your Michigan Home Help Eligibility
How Medical Eligibility Affects Coverage
In addition to financial requirements, medical eligibility must remain valid. This means keeping your DHS-54A Medical Needs Form current and updated every year.
If the form expires, MDHHS may pause Home Help services until a new version is received. Updating it early helps prevent interruptions.
Learn how in How to Update or Replace Your DHS-54A Medical Needs Form
What to Do if Medicaid Ends
If your Medicaid coverage stops, contact your MDHHS caseworker immediately to ask why. In most cases, the issue can be resolved by submitting updated documents or renewing online.
Once Medicaid is active again, notify your Adult Services Worker and Care Plan Inc. This ensures that Home Help services and caregiver pay resume without delay.
How Care Plan Inc. Supports Families
Care Plan Inc. is not part of MDHHS and does not decide who qualifies or how many hours are approved. Our agency helps Michigan caregivers stay compliant by explaining Medicaid renewal steps and assisting with required program forms.
We pay caregivers $17 or more per hour weekly for hours approved by MDHHS. Our team helps families stay organized, avoid lapses, and maintain steady care for their loved ones.
Read Maintaining Eligibility for the Home Help Program and How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Reapplying for the Michigan Home Help Program
Care Plan Inc. helps caregivers across Michigan stay compliant, informed, and paid weekly for approved Home Help hours.
Check your eligibility or enter your information through the Contact form for inquiries.