Skip to content Navigating state healthcare programs can bring up a lot of questions. At Deerwood Health, we believe in complete transparency. Below, we have answered the 8 most common questions Michigan families ask us about getting paid to care for their loved ones through the Medicaid Home Help Program.
Yes. Through the official Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program, the state actively pays family members, friends, or trusted neighbors to provide daily care. The program recognizes that loved ones are often the best, most reliable caregivers.
Almost any adult relative or friend can become a paid caregiver. This includes adult children caring for aging parents, siblings, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. By state law, there are only two exceptions:
Spouses cannot get paid to care for each other (husbands/wives).
Parents cannot get paid to care for their minor children (under the age of 18).
No. This program is strictly for non-medical, daily physical assistance. If you are already helping your loved one with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or driving them to doctor appointments, you are fully qualified to do this job.
Our services are 100% free to your family. There are absolutely no hidden fees, out-of-pocket costs, or deductions from your paycheck. Our agency is funded directly by Michigan Medicaid, meaning our support costs you and your loved one nothing.
Once approved by the state, you become a formal W-2 employee of Deerwood Health Group LLC. You provide care exactly as you always have, and we bill Michigan Medicaid directly. We pay you competitive hourly wages, take care of your federal and state tax withholdings, and provide you with a standard W-2 form at the end of the year.
No. Because the funding comes directly from a dedicated Medicaid home care allocation, your loved one’s regular medical coverage, insurance benefits, and monthly Social Security income are completely untouched.
The individual needing care must meet three main criteria:
They must be a Michigan resident living in a private home or apartment (not an active nursing facility or assisted living center).
They must have active Michigan Medicaid (or qualify to receive it based on low income or physical disability).
They must physically require hands-on help with at least one daily activity, such as bathing, dressing, moving around, or using the restroom.
The timeline is largely determined by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and varies by county. On average, the process takes anywhere from 30 to 90 days. This timeline includes submitting the paperwork, getting a doctor to sign the medical necessity form, and completing the mandatory MDHHS home assessment visit. Because it takes time, we highly recommend starting your application as soon as possible.
