How Older Adults in Ohio Can Pay Family and Friends for Care: PASSPORT, MyCare-Ohio, and Structured Family Caregiving

How Older Adults in Ohio Can Pay Family and Friends for Care: PASSPORT, MyCare-Ohio, and Structured Family Caregiving (SFC)

Caring for a loved one as they age can be one of the most meaningful experiences in life. But for family and friends providing caregiving support, it can also come with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. The good news? If you live in Ohio, Medicaid offers programs that allow family caregivers to be paid for the essential care they provide—helping to alleviate some of the financial burdens while allowing elderly loved ones to stay in the comfort of their homes.

In this article, we’ll explore two of the most common Medicaid waivers for older adults in Ohio—PASSPORT and MyCare-Ohio—and walk through how caregivers can use these programs to be compensated. We'll also break down the services Medicaid waivers typically pay family caregivers for, discuss pay rates, and help you understand how CareOasis can make the process simple and stress-free. Whether you’re just starting your caregiving journey or seeking better options, this guide is for you.

Step 1: How Family and Friends Get Paid for Caregiving in Ohio

Ohio Medicaid waivers allow the state to pay for long-term care services—like bathing, dressing, and meal prep—outside of a nursing home. This means family members or close friends of care recipients can be compensated for providing caregiving support that Medicaid would otherwise pay professionals to deliver.

There are two main ways family caregivers can be paid through Medicaid waivers:

Working Through an Agency: Family caregivers can become employees of agencies like CareOasis, a trusted Medicaid-contracted agency, that handles billing, payroll, scheduling, and other administrative tasks. CareOasis simplifies the process of getting the benefits, offers structure, and provides ongoing support and training to ensure caregivers feel confident in their roles. This option also takes advantage of the program’s generally higher reimbursement rates for agency providers compared to self-directed providers.
Becoming an Independent Provider: Family caregivers can apply directly with Ohio Medicaid to be certified and contract with the recipient’s Managed Care Organization (MCO), if any, to become independent providers. Independent caregivers must then handle their own certification, compliance, and billing with a Financial Management Services provider.

Both options let family caregivers earn pay for their work and ensure their elderly loved ones receive quality care at home.

Step 2: Two Key Medicaid Waivers That Pay Family Caregivers

Ohio offers a variety of Medicaid waivers, but PASSPORT and MyCare Ohio are two of the most commonly used by older adults and their families. Here's a closer look at how they work:

PASSPORT Waiver

Who it serves: Older adults aged 60+ who qualify for Medicaid and meet nursing facility-level care requirements, but prefer to remain in their homes.
What services it covers:
- Personal Care Services – Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, and other daily activities.
- Homemaking Services – Help with laundry, meal prep, grocery shopping, cleaning, and errands.
- Structured Family Caregiving – A caregiving arrangement where a loved one provides full-time, live-in care for the recipient. Note that this program is not available under self-direction.

The Area Agencies on Aging coordinate PASSPORT services by assessing eligibility, developing care plans, and matching individuals with caregivers. Caregivers can choose self-direction or work through an agency like CareOasis.

MyCare Ohio Waiver

Who it serves: Seniors aged 60+ (and younger individuals with disabilities) who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare and live in regions with managed care requirements.
What services it covers:
- Personal care, homemaking services, and Structured Family Caregiving—similar to PASSPORT.
How it works:
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) such as Buckeye Health Plan, Molina, Aetna, and CareSource oversee MyCare Ohio care plans. Care recipients must enroll in an MCO, which coordinates their services and payments. Family caregivers can either work through an agency contracted by the MCO, like CareOasis, or apply as independent providers.

Step 3: What Services Medicaid Waivers Pay Family Caregivers to Provide

Here are the most common caregiving roles Medicaid reimburses under PASSPORT and MyCare Ohio waivers (a comprehensive list can be found: ):

Personal Care Services: Helping loved ones with bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility, toileting, and other hands-on care tasks that support their physical health and hygiene.
Homemaking Services: Performing household duties such as laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, meal preparation, and errands to create a safe and comfortable living environment.
Structured Family Caregiving: Providing full-time, live-in care for a Medicaid recipient. Caregivers receive a stipend as part of formal arrangements under PASSPORT or MyCare Ohio. Note that this program is not available under self-direction.

It’s important to note that Medicaid only pays for services listed on an approved care plan determined by the local Area Agency on Aging. The care recipient’s needs are specifically assessed by case managers, who determine which tasks will be reimbursed and how many hours of service are authorized.

Step 4: Pay Rates and Choosing the Right Path

Pay Rates for Family Caregivers

While pay rates vary depending on the waiver program, services provided, and the caregiver’s chosen path (CareOasis or independent), here are some general benchmarks:

Hourly pay for personal care and homemaking services: The hourly rate depends on the care recipient’s enrollment in either the MyCare Ohio MCO program or the PASSPORT waiver, with variations based on the specific program and location. At CareOasis, we offer rates starting at $15/hr for PCA and $12/hr for Homemaking
Stipends for structured family caregiving: These are provided on a daily (per-diem) basis, offering consistent financial support for full-time, live-in caregivers.

Rates may fluctuate based on the care recipient’s location and their MCO’s negotiated payment amounts for services.

Choosing the Right Path: Agency vs. Independent Provider

For family caregivers in Ohio looking to get paid for providing care, there are two main paths: working through an agency or becoming an independent provider. Both options offer unique advantages and challenges that caregivers should carefully consider. CareOasis is an agency specifically designed to work with family caregivers and give you the best of both.

Working Through an Agency:
- Advantages:
  - Simplified Process: Home care agencies manage essential administrative tasks, such as billing Medicaid, processing payroll, ensuring compliance, and scheduling care. This takes much of the logistical burden off your shoulders.
  - Training and Resources: Many agencies offer free or low-cost caregiver training to ensure family members are well-prepared for the role.
  - Support System: Agencies typically provide caregivers with a dedicated point of contact for resolving issues and answering questions, reducing confusion and stress.
Challenges:
- Limited Flexibility: Traditional agencies may have rigid policies, such as requiring strict working hours or certain caregiving protocols, which might not align with your personal schedule or the needs of your loved one. CareOasis takes a flexible approach, working with families to design care plans and schedules that fit their needs.
- Operational Costs Affecting Pay Rates: Traditional agencies often have high overhead expenses, such as maintaining large offices, managing extensive staff, or covering other operational costs unrelated to caregiving. These expenses are typically reflected in lower hourly pay rates for caregivers. CareOasis is not a traditional agency and does not have the same costly overheads. We pass these savings onto caregivers and offer them competitive compensation without sacrificing quality in service.
- Potential Delays in Support: Traditional agencies sometimes face staffing shortages or overwhelmed systems, leading to delayed communication or assistance. At CareOasis, we prioritize responsiveness to our caregivers, offering quick, reliable support whenever you need it.
Becoming an Independent Provider:
- Advantages:
  - Flexibility in Work Arrangements: As an independent provider, you can set your own hours and structure your care schedule to better meet the needs of your family and loved ones.
- Challenges:
  - Administrative Burden: Independent providers are responsible for handling all paperwork on their own, including certification, compliance with Medicaid regulations, taxes, and billing with a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider. This can be complicated and time-consuming for those unfamiliar with administrative processes.
  - Lack of Built-In Support: When issues arise, independent providers must troubleshoot on their own.
  - Less Access to Training and Development: Unlike agencies that offer formal training programs, independent providers must seek out certification, education, or training on their own.

Navigating Medicaid waivers can be confusing, but CareOasis makes it simple. Programs like PASSPORT and MyCare Ohio provide valuable options for compensating family caregivers while allowing seniors to stay in the homes they love. Choosing CareOasis ensures the process is streamlined, reliable, and stress-free.

If you’re ready to start getting paid to care for your loved one—or just want help navigating Medicaid waivers—CareOasis is here to simplify the process for you. Contact us today and take your first step toward securing pay for the care you’re already providing.