Ohio may promote Medicaid in-home care

One provision some expect Gov. Ted Strickland to include in his forthcoming budget proposal would make it easier to apply Medicaid benefits to long-term, in-home care (Source: "Medicaid changes boost in-home care," Cincinnati Enquirer, Jan. 21, 2009).

Strickland, who is expected to release his budget plan Feb. 2,  has expressed support for an effort from several state and national agencies to change how Medicaid funds long-term care. Currently nursing home care is the automatic entitlement program for elderly people who qualify for Medicaid and need long-term care. Waivers are required before Medicaid will pay for in-home care.

According to the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, the average stay in a nursing home costs $4,800 a month, compared to $1,100 for in-home care.

Nationally, 36 percent of Medicaid dollars for long-term care are spent on in-home care and 64 percent for nursing homes. In Ohio, 21 percent of Medicaid for long-term care is spent on home care and 79 percent for nursing homes.