If you or your family member is on Ohio Medicaid and needs a ramp, grab bars, or other accessibility work, the state's main tool is the PASSPORT waiver. It is administered by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and operated by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA). Case management runs through your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA), called a PASSPORT Administrative Agency in this program.
What Ohio offers#
PASSPORT serves people age 60 and older who need nursing-facility level of care but want to stay in their own home. It is authorized under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, the same federal authority behind most state home and community-based waivers.
PASSPORT's published service list includes a Home modification service, defined under Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule 5160-44-13. This covers physical changes like ramps, grab bars, or a roll-in shower, when a case manager determines they are needed for health and safety. A related service, Home maintenance and chore, sits under OAC rule 5160-44-12 and can cover smaller safety fixes separate from a full modification project. Home medical equipment is its own service under rule 173-39-02.7, billed differently.
People dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid usually do not use PASSPORT directly. Instead, they get waiver-style services through MyCare Ohio, a managed care program. A separate program, the Ohio Home Care Waiver, serves adults under 60 with disabilities.
Knowing which route applies to your situation before you start paperwork saves time. Ask ODM or your AAA whether you belong on the PASSPORT track or the MyCare Ohio track first.
Amounts and eligibility#
ODM does not publish a per-project or annual dollar cap for the PASSPORT home modification service. Instead, OAC rules set a maximum-allowable rate methodology (rules 5160-31-07 and 5160-44-13), meaning the program pays up to a negotiated rate rather than a fixed consumer figure. Your case manager and the approved provider's rate govern what gets funded, not a published ceiling. Checked against ODM and Ohio Administrative Code sources, July 2026. Treat any site that quotes a specific Ohio dollar cap with caution; that figure does not come from an official source.
To qualify for PASSPORT, you generally must be 60 or older, meet Medicaid financial criteria, and meet a nursing facility level of care as defined in OAC rule 5160-31-03. Your County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) determines financial eligibility. The federal core rule many states use, allowing income up to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate, may apply, but ODM's public PASSPORT materials do not print a specific consumer income figure. Only ODM or your CDJFS caseworker can confirm whether your household meets the criteria.
No waitlist is stated on current ODM or ODA public PASSPORT pages. Enrollment is assessment-gated, so timelines vary by county. Avoid any source that states a specific wait time for Ohio; none is currently published.
How to apply in Ohio#
To start, submit form ODM 02399, "Request for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver," to your CDJFS. You can also apply through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal, or call the Ohio Benefits Long-Term Services and Supports line at 1-844-644-6582 for help getting started.
Once you are assessed and approved for PASSPORT, your regional PASSPORT Administrative Agency, your local AAA, becomes your case manager. That agency coordinates the home modification assessment and works with an approved provider under the state's rate rules.
If you are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, ask about MyCare Ohio instead. In that program, your managed care plan authorizes and coordinates home modification and other waiver-style services, rather than the fee-for-service PASSPORT process.
For general help figuring out which program applies, contact your Area Agency on Aging through the Ohio Department of Aging at 1-866-243-5678, or visit aging.ohio.gov. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) is a fallback if you are unsure where to start.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check VA housing grants alongside Ohio Medicaid. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) can fund larger projects and may work alongside PASSPORT services. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but this is plan-specific 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 PASSPORT paperwork or Ohio's rate rules. 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 Ohio Medicaid pay for home modifications like ramps or bathroom changes?#
Yes, through the PASSPORT waiver's Home modification service under OAC rule 5160-44-13. It covers physical changes like ramps, grab bars, or a roll-in shower when your case manager determines they are needed. A separate, smaller Home maintenance and chore service can cover minor safety fixes.
What is the difference between PASSPORT and MyCare Ohio for home modifications?#
PASSPORT is a fee-for-service waiver for people 60 and older, case-managed by your regional AAA. MyCare Ohio serves people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid; their waiver-style services, including home modifications, are authorized through their managed care plan instead.
Who qualifies for the PASSPORT waiver in Ohio?#
You generally must be 60 or older, meet Medicaid financial criteria as determined by your CDJFS, and meet a nursing facility level of care under OAC rule 5160-31-03. Only ODM or your caseworker can confirm your eligibility.
How do I apply for PASSPORT home modification help?#
Submit form ODM 02399, "Request for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver," to your County Department of Job and Family Services. You can also use the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal or call 1-844-644-6582 for guidance.
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 your application moves forward.
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.