A Medicaid-funded Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program that helps individuals from birth through age 59 receive the care they need at home — not in a nursing facility.
The Ohio Home Care Waiver (OHCW) is a Medicaid-funded program operated by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM). It allows children and adults under age 60 who have significant physical disabilities or unstable medical needs to receive long-term care in the comfort of their own home — rather than in a nursing facility, hospital, or rehabilitation facility.
This waiver supports the individual's right to choose community living with the supports and safeguards necessary to ensure their health and welfare. Cottage Home Care OH LLC is proud to be a certified Ohio Home Care Waiver provider, helping families navigate enrollment and access high-quality home-based care.
Individuals turning 60 on January 1, 2024 or later will be disenrolled from the Ohio Home Care Waiver within 120 days of their 60th birthday and offered the opportunity to transition to the PASSPORT Waiver if all eligibility requirements are met. Our team manages this transition seamlessly.
To be eligible for the Ohio Home Care Waiver, an individual must meet ALL of the following criteria (Ohio Admin. Code 5160-46-02, effective January 1, 2024):
Must be between birth and age fifty-nine at the time of enrollment.
Must be determined eligible for Ohio Medicaid in accordance with Chapters 5160:1-1 through 5160:1-6 of the Administrative Code.
Must participate in an initial assessment to determine if your needs can be met through the Ohio Home Care Waiver program.
Must be determined to require nursing facility (intermediate or skilled) level of care in accordance with rule 5160-3-08 of the Administrative Code.
Without the Ohio Home Care Waiver, you would require hospitalization or nursing facility placement to meet your needs.
Must need and agree to receive at least one waiver service each month that is not available through another source (private pay, community resources, or Medicaid state plan).
Must reside in a home or community-based setting — not a hospital, nursing facility, ICF-IID, residential care facility, or licensed group living arrangement.
Must sign an agreement confirming awareness of service alternatives, choice of providers, and the option of institutional versus community-based care.
ODM or its designee must determine that your needs can be safely addressed through the Ohio Home Care Waiver in a home or community setting.
The following individuals receive priority for assessment when applying to the Ohio Home Care Waiver:
Individuals under 21 who received inpatient hospital services for 14+ consecutive days, or had 3+ hospital stays in the past 12 months.
Individuals aged 21 to 59 who received inpatient hospital services for at least 14 consecutive days immediately before applying.
Individuals under 60 who received private duty nursing services for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before application.
Individuals under 60 living in the community facing documented risk of institutionalization due to loss of their primary caregiver.
Individuals under 60 residing in a Medicaid-funded nursing facility at the time of application.
Individuals under 60 eligible for the HOME Choice ("Helping Ohioans Move, Expanding Choice") program and residing in a residential treatment or inpatient setting.
The Ohio Home Care Waiver covers a comprehensive range of home and community-based services, including but not limited to:
Cottage Home Care OH LLC guides you through every step of the application process. Here is the general path to enrollment:
You must be enrolled in Ohio Medicaid before requesting this waiver. Apply at your local county Department of Job and Family Services or visit the Ohio Benefits portal.
Complete the waiver request form (Form 02399) and submit it to your local county Department of Job and Family Services, or contact Cottage Home Care OH LLC for assistance.
An eligibility assessment is conducted — usually triggered by a referral from your physician — carried out by a nursing supervisor or case manager in your home.
Once eligible, your dedicated care manager helps build a customized care plan tailored to your goals, preferences, and medical needs.
Your care team starts delivering services. The case manager conducts regular check-ins, annual reassessments, and adjusts your plan as your needs change.
To remain enrolled in the Ohio Home Care Waiver, you must continue to meet eligibility requirements and:
