07/17/2025

MyCare Advisory Council Highlights Case Management, Self-Direction

Last Friday, LeadingAge Ohio took part in the Ohio MyCare Advisory Council meeting, where state partners shared updates with direct implications for aging services providers across the continuum.

Among the highlights, the state is developing a new standardized training for Area Agency on Aging (AAA) case managers, focused on improving consistency around waiver services, covered benefits, and applicable rules. Importantly, the state emphasized that this information must also reach consumers, empowering them to better understand their rights.

The MyCare waiver’s self-direction option is expanding, giving members—including those under age 60—greater control in selecting and managing their own caregivers. To ease the administrative burden on families, a state-contracted payroll vendor will handle backend responsibilities.

Clarification is also underway regarding the role of Waiver Service Coordinators, with a focus on standardizing responsibilities such as assessments, care planning, provider coordination, and follow-up. Under MyCare Ohio, all managed care plans will begin using a single assessment tool to promote consistency statewide.

Finally, members of the council expressed strong support for more user-friendly tools—such as visual benefit summaries—to help those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid navigate their benefits more easily.

LeadingAge Ohio will continue to monitor these developments and share additional updates as changes to the MyCare provider agreement and related initiatives roll out.