PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver Help

PASSPORT is Ohio’s alternative to nursing home care. It helps disabled older adults remain safe and independent at home. In-home care through PASSPORT helps these individuals remain in their homes longer and can relieve some of the stress on families and caregivers. Buckeye Hills accepts referrals from families, friends, physicians, ministers, and community organizations to locate individuals who may benefit from the PASSPORT program.

Caregiver puts her hand on the shoulder of an older adult woman receiving PASSPORT services

Information about the PASSPORT Waiver Program and In-Home Help

Call our Advice Line to schedule a free consultation with a care professional who will assist with identifying the services an individual may qualify for to help them at home.

Program Details & Requirements

The PASSPORT Waiver Program provides cost-effective, in-home care as an alternative to nursing home placement for eligible Ohioans. One of Buckeye Hills Regional Council’s trained assessors will make a face-to-face visit with potential individuals to determine eligibility for the Waiver and to assess an individual’s ability to live safely in the community.

If an individual meets the eligibility criteria, the assessor will develop an individualized plan of care that will enable them to remain in a home setting.

Once enrolled, a participant is assigned a PASSPORT Care Manager who will make quarterly visits to monitor services and provide ongoing assistance to an individual and/or their representative in managing their plan of care.

PASSPORT, providing help at home for Ohio seniors, is also referred to as Ohio’s home and community based Medicaid-waiver program for older adults.

To be eligible, a person:

  • Must be age 60+ at the time of enrollment
  • Must meet Medicaid financial eligibility
  • Must need hands-on help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and meals
  • Must not be residing in an institution at the start of services
  • Must agree to the individualized plan of care

Other expectations of eligibility include:

  • Service need cannot be met by other available community resources
  • Cost of services is equal to or less than the cost cap
  • Health-related needs can be safely met in the home setting
  • Service plan must be approved and signed by the individual’s physician

PASSPORT is a program designed specifically for adults 60 years of age and older, promoting independence for individuals at home with long-term care needs such as:

  • Personal Care
  • Home Maker
  • Home Medical Equipment
  • Respite
  • Home Delivered  Meals
  • Dietician Services
  • Adult Day Services
  • Counseling
  • Minor Home Modifications
  • Consumer Directed Home Care Attendant
  • Waiver Nursing

PASSPORT is a waiver program funded jointly by Ohio Medicaid and the federal government.

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