Application Checklist

Michigan Caregiver Application Checklist: What You'll Need

Not a general overview — the actual checklist. What documents to have ready, what happens at each of the five steps, what tends to cause delays, and what to do if you're denied.

By Kinwell · 4 min read · Last updated: July 29, 2026

Key Takeaways

Have ready: your loved one's Medicaid ID, your Social Security number, bank account info for direct deposit, and consent to a required criminal history screening.
The process has five steps: eligibility check, signed authorization, clinical review, in-home assessment, then approval and first pay.
Most caregivers see their first paycheck within 1–2 months of the eligibility check.
Common delays: lapsed Medicaid coverage, missed assessment visits, incomplete clinical documentation, or paperwork signed by the wrong person.
If denied, Kinwell obtains the reason on your behalf — most reasons are fixable, and Kinwell handles the appeal, a new assessment, or reapplying, whichever fits.

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Documents and information to have ready

Your loved one's Michigan Medicaid ID number and coverage effective date
Your loved one's basic health information — the condition being cared for, and their primary doctor's contact information
Proof you're at least 18, and your relationship to your loved one (relative, friend, or neighbor — not a spouse or a parent of their own minor child; see what else might be available if that's your situation)
Your Social Security number, for W-2 hiring paperwork
Willingness to complete a criminal history screening — required for every caregiver as part of Medicaid provider enrollment¹
Bank account information for direct deposit of your pay
A phone number and email for both of you, to complete paperwork and schedule the in-home assessment

The five steps, in detail

Step 1: Check eligibility

A 2-minute online screening — no signature required yet.

Covers your relationship to your loved one and the daily care they need
Also asks for their name, date of birth, and address — enter these exactly as they appear on their insurance card
You'll see a personalized pay estimate right away
After you submit, Kinwell verifies eligibility directly with their insurance — usually within 1 business day

Step 2: Sign paperwork

Your loved one (or their legally authorized representative) signs authorization online so Kinwell can act on their behalf with their insurance.

Lets Kinwell request their records and coordinate the clinical review and in-home assessment on your loved one's behalf
It has to be signed by your loved one themselves or someone with documented legal authority, like a guardian or power of attorney

Step 3: Clinical review

A licensed clinician confirms medical necessity — Kinwell facilitates, but isn't the one making the determination.

Kinwell coordinates directly with your loved one's existing doctor for any records needed, so there's no new appointment or separate exam
This step confirms the why — an actual medical, physical, or cognitive need — separate from the in-home assessment next, which measures how much help is needed
Timing depends mostly on how quickly their doctor's office responds

Step 4: In-home assessment

Someone from your loved one's insurance visits in person — required, not doable by phone — and sets your approved monthly hours.

Ranks your loved one on a 5-point scale, from independent to fully dependent, across daily living tasks (bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, mobility, toileting, transferring) and everyday tasks (housework, laundry, medication, meal prep, shopping)
Only a 3-or-higher ranking qualifies for paid hours
The visit also covers an emergency backup caregiver plan
If a spouse (or, for a minor child, a parent) lives in the home and is available to help, that can reduce the hours approved for you specifically

Step 5: Approval and first pay

Once approved, two things finish behind the scenes before pay starts.

Your provider enrollment with their insurance finishes up, including a criminal history screening (see what's screened)
Kinwell finalizes your W-2 hiring paperwork (I-9, W-4, direct deposit) and handles the required paperwork with their insurance — nothing for you to submit
Depending on your loved one's program, pay may be backdated to their in-home assessment date — see how far back that can go →

What causes delays

Your loved one's Medicaid coverage has lapsed, or their ID information doesn't match state records
Scheduling gaps for the in-home assessment — missed visits or limited availability push the timeline out
Incomplete clinical documentation, such as a doctor who hasn't yet confirmed the diagnosis or medical necessity
Paperwork signed by someone other than the Medicaid member or their legally authorized representative
W-2 hiring paperwork or direct deposit information not completed promptly after approval

What to do if you're denied

Kinwell obtains the specific denial reason on your behalf — usually insufficient documented care need, lapsed Medicaid coverage, or missing paperwork, all fixable. Per MDHHS, your loved one (the Medicaid member) can request an administrative hearing², and Kinwell handles the paperwork and deadlines either way, whether that means an appeal, a new assessment, or reapplying.

Frequently asked

How long does the whole process take, start to finish? Most caregivers going through Kinwell start receiving pay within 1–2 months of their eligibility check, though the exact timing depends on how quickly the clinical review and in-home assessment can be scheduled.

References

Cited in this article

1
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). ASM 135 — Home Help Individual Provider Requirements. mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/ex/AS/Public/ASM/135.pdf
2
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). ASM 150 — Negative Action Hearings. mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/ex/AS/Public/ASM/150.pdf