Medicaid Home Care in Milwaukee: How to Apply
A plain-English walkthrough of how Milwaukee County families get Wisconsin Medicaid to pay for in-home personal care — and how a family member can be hired and paid to provide it.
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The five steps, start to finish
Wisconsin Medicaid pays for personal care at home through programs like Family Care, Partnership, and IRIS. Here is the path Milwaukee County families follow.
1. Call the ADRC for a free screening
Start with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Milwaukee County at (414) 289-6874. No doctor's referral is needed, and the call is free. Tell them you want in-home long-term care support.
2. Complete the functional screen
A screener meets with your loved one (often at home) and documents what they need help with — bathing, dressing, transfers, toileting, eating, medications. This determines the level of care Medicaid will authorize.
3. Apply for Wisconsin Medicaid financially
Financial eligibility is handled through ForwardHealth / your county income maintenance unit. You'll provide income, assets, and identity documents. You can apply online at access.wi.gov or with ADRC help.
4. Enroll in Family Care, Partnership, or IRIS
Once approved, you choose a program. Family Care and Partnership use a care-management team; IRIS is self-directed, giving you more control over who provides care and how hours are used.
5. Choose Avida and start care
Call Avida at (414) 348-4600. We verify authorized hours, assign a nurse and care coordinator, and can hire and pay a qualifying family member as the caregiver — often up to about $2,000 per month.
Documents to gather first
Having these ready is the single biggest thing that speeds up approval.
- Photo ID and Social Security number for the person needing care
- Proof of income (Social Security award letter, pension, pay stubs)
- Bank statements and asset information
- Medicare / insurance cards
- Recent medical records or a list of diagnoses and medications
- Proof of Wisconsin residency and citizenship or qualifying immigration status
We do this every week
Avida's bilingual care coordinators walk Milwaukee families through the screen, the paperwork, and program selection at no cost — even before you choose us as your agency.
Milwaukee County ADRC: (414) 289-6874
Avida Personal Care: (414) 348-4600
Milwaukee Medicaid home care questions
Who qualifies for Medicaid home care in Milwaukee?+
Wisconsin Medicaid long-term care is for adults age 65+, adults with disabilities, and children age 6 and older with disabilities who need hands-on help with daily activities, and who meet income and asset limits. The ADRC functional screen determines the care need; ForwardHealth determines the financial side.
What are the income and asset limits for Wisconsin Medicaid long-term care?+
Limits are set by the state and change each year. As a general guide, a single applicant's countable assets must be under about $2,000, and most income above a personal allowance goes toward the cost of care. A spouse who stays at home is allowed to keep a larger share. The ADRC or your income maintenance worker will confirm the current figures for your household.
How long does it take to get approved?+
Most Milwaukee families see the functional screen scheduled within a couple of weeks, and financial determination generally takes about 30 days once the application and documents are submitted. Missing paperwork is the most common delay. Avida can start private-pay care while an application is pending.
Can I get paid by Medicaid to care for my parent in Milwaukee?+
Yes. Under Wisconsin Medicaid Personal Care Services, an agency like Avida can hire, train, and pay a qualifying family member — an adult child, grandchild, sibling, or other relative — to provide the approved care hours. Spouses and legal guardians of adults have restrictions, so ask us about your situation.
What is the difference between Family Care, Partnership, and IRIS?+
Family Care provides long-term care services through a managed care organization. Partnership adds medical and prescription coverage under the same team. IRIS is self-directed: you get a budget and choose your own providers, including a family caregiver, with support from a consultant.
Does Medicaid pay for 24-hour care at home?+
Medicaid authorizes hours based on documented need, not around-the-clock coverage by default. Many families combine authorized personal care hours with supportive home care, family help, and private pay to cover the rest of the day.
What if we are denied?+
You have the right to appeal, and denials are often reversed when additional medical documentation is provided. Call us at (414) 348-4600 — we help families gather what the screen missed and re-apply.
Ready to talk? Call us today.
Our team is fluent in English and Spanish, with many other languages supported through a translation partner.