The Ohio Home Care Waiver (OHCW) program is an in-home long-term care option for financially-eligible children and adults who have significant disabilities and/or mental health needs. Without the OHCW, these individuals might otherwise be forced to receive care in a hospital, nursing home or other institutional setting.
The OHCW program preserves independence by giving participants greater control and choice over their care, including where they receive care, the types of services they receive and who provides their services.
Council on Aging (COA) has a contract with the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) to screen, enroll and provide care management services to people enrolled in the program. For this program, COA’s service area includes 21 counties in the regions of Cincinnati, Dayton and Lima.
What is the Ohio Home Care Waiver?
The Ohio Home Care Waiver program provides in-home long-term care services for financially eligible individuals (people under age 60) who otherwise would be at risk for hospital or nursing home placement.
The Ohio Home Care Waiver gives you:
- services and supports to help you remain
- independent in the setting of your choice
- greater choice and control over your care
- a Medicaid card that entitles you to the full range of Medicaid benefits, including hospitalization, physician care, prescription drugs, and many
- other types of services
Who is eligible for the Ohio Home Care Waiver?
In order to be eligible for the Ohio Home Care Waiver program, you must be:
- Age 59 or younger (under age 60)
- Financially eligible for Medicaid (low-income)
- In need of skilled or intermediate care: hands-on help with dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, eating or mobility. A physician must certify the level of care needed.
A Council on Aging care manager will meet with you to determine your eligibility. If you qualify, your care manager will work with you and your family to develop a care plan that meets your individual needs.
How do I apply for the Ohio Home Care Waiver?
You must first apply for Medicaid through your county’s Department of Job and Family Services (JFS). JFS will process your Medicaid application and then notify COA of your approval. We will contact you to schedule an assessment for the OHCW. Contact COA for more information (800) 252-0155.
Services and Benefits
The goal of the OHCW is to help eligible individuals receive services at home, instead of in a hospital or nursing facility. Depending on your needs, you may receive nursing services, personal care or daily living assistance, and skilled therapies such as physical, occupational, behavioral/mental health or speech therapy.
Your care manager works with you and everyone involved in your care to develop an All Services Plan based on your needs. Your care manager will call or visit you regularly, and conduct a reassessment of your eligibility and needs at least once a year.
Adult Day Services: Services delivered in an adult daycare setting as an alternative to being cared for at home during the day.
Daily Living: Help with activities of daily living provided by a home health aide or personal care aide. Examples of daily living services include bathing, dressing and grooming.
Emergency Response Systems: Electronic devices that send a signal to a monitoring company when someone who needs emergency response activates the system.
Home-Delivered Meals and Nutrition Counseling: Planned by a dietician in consultation with the participant and doctor as needed.
Home Modifications: Construction or remodeling to make a home accessible to a person with disabilities.
Nursing: Services provided by a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) under the supervision of an RN. Examples of services include G-tube feeding, medication administration and wound care.
Out-of-Home Respite: Temporary placement of a participant in an institution (nursing home) to provide relief for the family caregiver(s).
Skilled Therapies: Services delivered by a licensed therapist for occupational, physical, and speech and hearing therapy.
Supplemental Adaptive/Assistive Devices: Appliances, equipment, supplies and vehicle modifications that meet the participant’s medical needs and/or increase functional ability.
Supplemental Transportation: Transportation not otherwise covered to help participants meet goals identified in their All Services Plan.
Management and Oversight
This program is administered by ODM. COA was selected to provide care management services for participants in the Cincinnati, Dayton and Lima regions.
Why is Counil on Aging managing my care?
COA has been selected as a care management agency for OHCW participants in a 21-county region. It is our mission and privilege to work with you to make sure you get the services you need to stay independent at home. Connecting people to community-based services and supports is one of our primary responsibilities. We have many years of care management experience for thousands of area clients in the PASSPORT and Assisted Living Waiver programs. Our clients are highly satisfied with our services and our respect for their needs.
We also serve as the lead agency in a regional Aging and Disability Resource Network (ADRN). By phone, in person or through our comprehensive online resource directory (at help4seniors.org), the ADRN connects people to services and supports to help them remain independent in the community.