Ohio’s Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program: Supporting Seniors with In-Home Care

Eligibility and Application Process:

• Recipient Eligibility: To qualify for PASSPORT, the individual needing care must be eligible for Medicaid and meet the state’s criteria for a nursing facility level of care. Financial guidelines for PASSPORT align with Ohio Institutional Medicaid limits: an individual’s gross monthly income must be less than three times the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), which was $2,901 per month in 2025. The asset limit for an individual is typically $2,000.
• Caregiver Eligibility: The PASSPORT program permits consumer direction of services, allowing beneficiaries a degree of control over who provides their care. Friends and certain family members, such as adult children, can provide non-skilled care services like personal care. However, spouses and legal guardians are generally excluded from being paid caregivers under the PASSPORT waiver.
• Application Process: The journey to PASSPORT benefits begins with a Pre-Admission Screening, initiated by a simple phone call. During this screening, staff will determine if the individual may qualify for Medicaid and assess the level of care needed. If eligible, a case manager is assigned to collaborate with the individual to create a customized care plan, connecting them with local providers for tailored in-home services.

Services Available Through PASSPORT: The PASSPORT waiver offers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at supporting individuals at home. These include personal care, housekeeping, chore assistance, nutritional counseling, home-delivered meals, adult day care, assistance with independent living, minor home modifications, emergency response services, medical equipment and supplies, social work counseling, medical transportation, waiver nursing, and out-of-home respite care. Additionally, PASSPORT participants receive a Medicaid card, granting them access to essential healthcare benefits such as physician visits, hospital care, and prescription medications.

Ohio Family Caregiver Pay Rates for PCA

The compensation for family caregivers in Ohio varies depending on the specific program and the agency involved. For the PASSPORT Waiver, Medicaid typically pays a standard rate of between $10 and $15 per hour for family caregivers. Some providers, pay up to $17 per hour for PASSPORT caregivers. This aligns with the user’s provided maximum hourly rate for Personal Care Assistance in Ohio. Family caregivers are generally hired by a state-approved home care agency, such as Momba Home Care, which handles payroll and administrative tasks.

Important Considerations: Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) in Ohio

Ohio’s Medicaid program, like those in other states, operates a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) to recover the costs of Medicaid benefits after a recipient’s death. This program typically applies to individuals aged 55 and older who received Medicaid care, including those who received services through Medicaid Waiver Programs such as PASSPORT.

The state will seek to recover the total amount Medicaid paid on behalf of the individual. This recovery takes place after the death of the Medicaid recipient and, if applicable, their surviving spouse, and when there are no surviving children under the age of 21 or children of any age who are considered blind or disabled. It is important to understand that MERP can apply to all real and personal property owned by the Medicaid individual at the time of death, regardless of whether it passes through probate court. Even assets transferred through joint tenancy or living trusts are subject to MERP. While the state may waive its right to recovery in cases of “undue hardship,” this is determined on a case-by-case basis. Families are strongly encouraged to consult with elder law attorneys to understand the full implications of MERP and to explore appropriate estate planning strategies.