MyCare Ohio Rollout 2026: What Changes for Your Parent's Care
The Next Generation MyCare Ohio program is changing how dual-eligible seniors (those with both Medicare and Medicaid) receive long-term care across the state. The rollout started January 1, 2026 and concludes August 1, 2026. If your parent receives PASSPORT waiver services, assisted living waiver benefits, or any Medicaid-funded home care, this transition directly affects how their care is coordinated and who they deal with.
What MyCare Ohio Actually Is
MyCare Ohio is a managed care program that integrates Medicare and Medicaid benefits into a single plan for dual-eligible individuals age 21 and older. Instead of navigating two separate bureaucracies — Medicare for medical care and Medicaid for long-term services — a single Managed Care Organization (MCO) coordinates everything.
For enrolled members, the MCO manages:
- Medical care and specialist referrals (Medicare side)
- Home and community-based waiver services like PASSPORT (Medicaid side)
- Care coordination — a single point of contact for service plan changes, provider issues, and benefit questions
Members can choose between two enrollment options:
- Dual Benefit: One plan manages both Medicare and Medicaid
- Medicaid-Only: The MCO manages Medicaid long-term services while Medicare stays with the member's existing plan or traditional Medicare
2026 Rollout Schedule by County
| Phase | Date | Ohio Counties |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | January 1, 2026 | Butler, Warren, Clinton, Hamilton, Clermont, Montgomery, Clark, Greene, Lucas, Fulton, Ottawa, Wood, Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison, Pickaway, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Medina, Wayne, Summit, Stark, Portage, Geauga, Lake, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana |
| Phase 2A | April 1, 2026 | Sandusky, Erie, Henry, Williams, Defiance, Paulding, Fayette, Fairfield, Licking, Ashtabula |
| Phase 2B | May 1, 2026 | Preble, Darke, Miami, Shelby, Champaign, Logan, Van Wert, Putnam, Hancock, Allen, Mercer, Auglaize, Hardin, Seneca, Huron, Wyandot, Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Marion, Morrow, Knox |
| Phase 2C | June 1, 2026 | Ross, Vinton, Highland, Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Brown, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence |
| Phase 2D | July 1, 2026 | Holmes, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Jefferson, Coshocton, Harrison, Belmont, Guernsey, Muskingum |
| Phase 2E | August 1, 2026 | Hocking, Perry, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Washington, Athens, Meigs |
Which Plans Are Available
For 2026, three statewide MCOs are accepting new enrollments:
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- CareSource
- Molina Healthcare of Ohio
Buckeye Health Plan remains active but is closed to new enrollments — only members enrolled as of December 31, 2025 can stay. Buckeye is also unavailable in Ashtabula and Belmont counties for 2026.
Aetna and UnitedHealthcare exited the MyCare program on December 31, 2025. Members who were with these plans were auto-assigned to one of the three statewide MCOs.
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What Families Need to Do
If your parent is already receiving PASSPORT or other waiver services: The transition should be automatic. When your county's rollout phase arrives, your parent will receive a plan selection packet with instructions for choosing an MCO. If no selection is made, they'll be auto-assigned.
The 90-day transition protection: For the first 90 days after enrollment, the new MCO must honor the existing care plan — same services, same providers, same hours. This gives the MCO time to verify provider networks and develop a new person-centered service plan without disrupting current care.
Action items for families:
- Verify your parent's current providers are in-network with the MCO they choose (or are assigned to). Call the MCO directly and ask about specific providers by name.
- Request a copy of the current care plan from the AAA before the transition. Having documentation of approved services and hours gives you leverage if the MCO attempts to reduce services after the 90-day window.
- Attend the initial care coordination meeting. The MCO will schedule one within the first 90 days. This is where the new service plan is developed — if you're not there, decisions get made without your input.
What Can Go Wrong
The biggest risk during managed care transitions is service disruption. Common problems:
Provider network gaps. Your parent's current home care aide or agency may not be in the new MCO's network. If this happens during the 90-day transition window, the MCO is required to honor the existing arrangement. After 90 days, you may need to switch providers or request a network exception.
Service reductions. MCOs have financial incentives to manage costs. Some families report reduced aide hours or service frequency after the transition period. If the MCO reduces services, request the denial in writing and file a formal appeal — you have the right to a state fair hearing if the internal appeal fails.
Care coordinator turnover. Your assigned care coordinator is your primary point of contact. If they leave and aren't replaced promptly, service authorizations and plan updates stall. Get the supervisor's contact information at the initial meeting.
Stay Ahead of the Transition
The Ohio Care Decision Guide includes a MyCare transition checklist that walks through provider verification, service plan documentation, and the appeal process — so you're prepared to protect your parent's care continuity when the rollout reaches your county.
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Download the Ohio — Choosing Care Decision Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.