NEWS RELEASE
April 22, 1998

First MI Choice Home and Community Based Waiver Sites Approved

Governor John Engler today announced that the State Administrative Board has approved the first five sites for the Home and Community Based Waiver expansion under the MI Choice program. Engler unveiled MI Choice in November as Michigan's initiative to coordinate and improve long term care services. MI Choice will enable persons seeking long term care to choose these services, according to their values and preferences, from a variety of settings and through a variety of providers.

"I am pleased with today's approval for the expansion of the Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver," said Governor Engler. "This waiver will allow more individuals to continue living in their own homes."

The waiver sites approved today are:

• Area Agency on Aging of Northwestern Michigan, to serve persons living in Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties.
• Burnham Brook Center, to serve persons living in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Barry, Branch, Cass, Saint Joseph and Van Buren counties.
• Region Nine Area Agency on Aging, to serve persons living in Alpena, Alcona, Arenac, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon counties.
• Region Seven Area Agency on Aging, to serve persons living in Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Clare, Isabella, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties.
• Valley Area Agency on Aging, to serve persons living in Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee counties.
  

The Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly and Disabled (HCBS/ED) Waiver program provides home and community based services to aged and disabled individuals over 18 years old who would otherwise require a nursing home level of care. This level of care in a nursing home is reimbursed under the current Medicaid State plan. The waiver allows payment for this level of care at home and in the community.

"We're improving the quality of life for those needing long term care by increasing the opportunity for individuals to remain in their own homes," said Office of Services to the Aging Director Lynn Alexander.

Engler's MI Choice program will expand the HCBS/ED waiver to a statewide level. Previously, only individuals in 25 counties were eligible to receive waiver services.

"We have received a great deal of interest in the MI Choice program since Governor Engler unveiled it last November," said Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr. "Today's action of the State Administrative Board expands the range of services available to give individuals more control over their care."

In 1997, 3,574 individuals were enrolled in the HCBS/ED program. Preliminary figures for the program in the 25 counties indicate that total Medicaid costs for those receiving the waiver average one-third less than the total Medicaid costs of individuals receiving care in nursing facilities.

The waiver funds personal care, homemaker, home delivered meals, transportation, chore, respite, counseling, personal emergency response, home modifications and environmental aids, adult day care, training, durable medical equipment, medical supplies and private duty nursing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Truscott
April 22, 1998 (517) 335-6397