Michigan's primary HCBS waiver for elderly and physically disabled adults who need nursing-facility-level care but want to remain in their own home, a family member's home, or a home for the aged. It's delivered through about 20 regional Waiver Agencies, many of which are Area Agencies on Aging.

How Medicaid Can Help Pay for Long-Term Care in Michigan

Q: What is Michigan's Medicaid asset limit for long-term care?

$9,950 for a single applicant in 2026 — well above the $2,000 federal standard most states use, and applies to Nursing Home Medicaid, HCBS waivers, and ABD Medicaid alike.

Q: Does this asset limit change every year?

Yes — Michigan is one of only three states (with South Carolina and Arkansas) that ties its long-term care asset limit to the Supplemental Security Income asset standard, which updates annually. Most states' limits stay frozen at $2,000 indefinitely.

Published August 28, 2026 How we keep this accurate

This page is Michigan-specific. Medicaid long-term care rules vary significantly by state. See our national Medicaid Waivers Explained guide if you're elsewhere.

An asset limit that actually moves each year

Michigan's Medicaid asset limit for long-term care is $9,950 for a single applicant in 2026 — nearly 5 times the $2,000 federal standard most states use. What makes this genuinely unusual isn't just the amount: Michigan is one of only three states (alongside South Carolina and Arkansas) that ties this limit to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) asset standard, which updates annually. In 47 states and DC, this limit is simply frozen — the same number year after year, sometimes for decades.

Michigan applies this higher limit more broadly than its peer states. South Carolina and Arkansas only extend the SSI-linked $9,950 figure to their ABD Medicaid program — their Nursing Home and HCBS waiver limits stay at the standard $2,000. Michigan applies $9,950 across all three: Nursing Home Medicaid, HCBS waivers, and ABD Medicaid alike.

MI Choice: Michigan's primary home-care waiver

MI Choice serves elderly and physically disabled adults who need nursing-facility-level care but want to stay in their own home, a family member's home, or a "home for the aged" (similar to assisted living). It's delivered through roughly 20 regional Waiver Agencies, many of which are Area Agencies on Aging — meaning the specific agency handling your case depends on where in Michigan you live.

	MI Choice Waiver	MI Health Link HCBS	Home Help Program
Who it's for	Elderly/disabled needing NF-level care	Dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid)	Anyone qualifying for Regular Medicaid
Guaranteed if eligible?	No — enrollment limited	No	Yes — an entitlement
Covers	Adult day care, home mods, respite, independent living training	Integrated Medicare + Medicaid HCBS	Personal care, laundry, housekeeping

Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS); figures effective 2026.

If your income is over the limit

Michigan uses a Medically Needy spend-down — not a Qualified Income Trust — for income above the $2,982/month standard limit. You pay medical costs equal to the gap between your income and the limit; once met, Medicaid covers the rest for that period.

Spousal protections

Community Spouse Resource Allowance: up to $162,660 — the federal maximum, in addition to the applicant's own $9,950.

Spousal income allowance: up to $4,066.50/month — the exact amount above the minimum depends on the community spouse's shelter and utility costs.

A paperwork detail worth knowing

As of 2026, Michigan replaced the old DHS-54A form with the new MDHHS-6200 for certifying medical need in long-term care applications. If your physician or care facility is still using the outdated form, confirm they've switched — using the wrong form can delay your application.

How to actually start

Apply through MI Bridges (Michigan's official benefits portal), by phone, or in person — confirm your physician uses the current MDHHS-6200 form for medical need certification.

Given Michigan's asset limit changes annually, confirm the current-year figure directly with MDHHS rather than relying on a number from a prior year.

Common Questions

What is Michigan's Medicaid asset limit for long-term care?

$9,950 for a single applicant in 2026 — applies across Nursing Home Medicaid, HCBS waivers, and ABD Medicaid.

Does this asset limit change every year?

Yes — it's tied to the SSI asset standard, one of only three states with this approach.

What is MI Choice?

Michigan's primary HCBS waiver for seniors needing nursing-facility-level care at home, delivered through ~20 regional Waiver Agencies.