If you or your family member is on Medicaid in Michigan and needs a ramp, grab bars, or a roll-in shower, the MI Choice Waiver is the main path to funding. It is run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). MI Choice covers home modifications as part of a broader plan to help people stay in their own home instead of moving to a nursing facility.
What Michigan offers#
MDHHS administers the MI Choice Waiver under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. It serves adults 18 and older with a disability, along with anyone 65 or older, who need a nursing-home level of services but want to remain at home. MI Choice lists Environmental Accessibility Adaptations, commonly called home modifications, as a covered service.
These adaptations are physical changes that make a home safer and more usable for the person living there. Ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, and roll-in showers are typical examples. MI Choice has one notable published rule worth knowing: a funded adaptation cannot raise the home's value significantly above comparable real estate in the same neighborhood. That keeps the program focused on accessibility, not general remodeling.
Modifications are not approved as a standalone benefit. They come through an individual service plan built by your regional waiver agency, based on what your care team decides you need.
Amounts and eligibility#
MDHHS does not publish a standard dollar cap for home modifications on its public MI Choice pages. Instead, the waiver agency authorizes each adaptation through your service plan, sized to your specific situation. Be cautious of any source that states a fixed statewide dollar limit for Michigan; that figure is not coming from an official MDHHS page. Checked against MDHHS program pages, July 2026.
For financial eligibility, you must first be categorically eligible for Medicaid as an older adult or a person with a disability. MI Choice applicants are then evaluated against an enhanced financial eligibility standard, described in MDHHS policy known as BEM 106, "MA Waiver for Elderly and Disabled." This standard is more generous than basic Medicaid rules, though MDHHS does not print a specific consumer-facing dollar figure for it. In general terms, many states, including Michigan's broader Medicaid framework, reference a special income rule tied to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate, which is $2,982 a month in 2026. Only MDHHS or your regional waiver agency can confirm your actual eligibility.
How to apply in Michigan#
Applying starts with your regional MI Choice Waiver Agency. Michigan is divided into regions, each served by a designated waiver agent; MDHHS publishes a Waiver Agency Region Map and a list of agents by region on michigan.gov. Contact the agency for your county to begin.
The first step is a telephone screening. A waiver agency representative asks about your health, daily needs, and living situation, then assigns a priority level of C, D, D1, or E based on need. If you appear potentially eligible, you move onto the waiting list.
This is the detail worth knowing early: the MI Choice waiting list runs in chronological order by date of contact. Calling your regional waiver agency as soon as you think you might need help holds your place in line, even before you finish the full application. Waiting until a crisis hits costs time you cannot get back.
MDHHS does not publish wait-time lengths for individual regions, so treat any site quoting exact wait times for Michigan with caution.
For general help finding services, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. Many MI Choice waiver agencies in Michigan are also Area Agencies on Aging, so one call can often cover both. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) is a fallback if you are unsure which agency serves your area.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check Veterans Affairs (VA) housing grants alongside MI Choice. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing can fund larger accessibility projects and may work alongside Michigan Medicaid. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits, such as grab bars or ramps, but this varies by plan with no standard amount. Call your plan directly to ask what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled MI Choice paperwork or waiver agency authorization. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for pros who have done this before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does Michigan Medicaid pay for home modifications like ramps or roll-in showers?#
Yes. The MI Choice Waiver covers Environmental Accessibility Adaptations, including ramps, grab bars, and roll-in showers, for people who qualify and have it included in their service plan. The adaptation cannot significantly raise the home's value above comparable homes nearby.
How does the MI Choice waiting list work?#
After a telephone screening assigns you a priority level, you enter the waiting list in chronological order by the date you first contacted your regional waiver agency. Calling early holds your place, so it helps to reach out as soon as you anticipate a need.
Who qualifies for the MI Choice waiver in Michigan?#
MI Choice serves adults 18 and older with a disability, and anyone 65 or older, who need a nursing-home level of services but want to stay home. You must also meet Medicaid's categorical rules plus an enhanced financial eligibility standard under MDHHS policy BEM 106. Only MDHHS or your waiver agency can confirm eligibility.
How do I apply for MI Choice home modification help?#
Contact the MI Choice Waiver Agency for your county, listed on michigan.gov by region. You'll complete a telephone screening first, which determines your priority level and, if applicable, your place on the waiting list.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers by state and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide and accessible bathroom remodel cost guide can help you budget while you wait to hear back.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.