When life changes, a fall, a hospital stay, a new diagnosis, or just the slow shift that comes with age, you may face decisions about long-term care.
You do not have to make them alone or in the dark. MI Options Person-Centered Options Counseling is free, unbiased, one-on-one help understanding your choices.
What is PCOC?
PCOC stands for Person-Centered Options Counseling.
It is a free conversation with a certified counselor about long-term care choices.
‘Person-centered’ means we start with what you want, not what a brochure says or what a system pushes.
Unbiased. We do not sell anything. We do not push one program over another. We help you see what is out there.
One-on-one. By phone or in person.
Funded through an MDHHS grant. Free for everyone we counsel.
What an Options Counselor Helps With
Long-term care choices. In-home care, adult day services, assisted living, nursing facilities, and more.
Next steps after a major life event. A fall, a hospital stay, a new diagnosis, or the loss of a spouse.
Housing decisions. Staying in your home, adapting your home, or moving to a setting with more support.
Transportation. Getting to medical appointments, groceries, and community events.
Caregiver respite. Taking breaks when you are caring for someone else.
Building a plan. Clear, practical steps that fit what you want.
Free Medicare Counseling
Through SHIP and MIPPA, MI Options offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling alongside long-term care options counseling.
What Medicare counseling covers
Medicare enrollment.
How Medicare and Medicaid work together when you have both.
Cost savings programs: Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help, and others.
Prescription drug coverage choices.
Billing questions and explanation of benefits.
Who MI Options PCOC is For
For older adults and people with disabilities
You are thinking about your future care or facing a change right now.
You want unbiased help looking at your options before you decide anything.
You want to stay independent as long as possible.
For healthcare professionals and discharge planners
You are working with a patient or family who needs to make long-term care decisions.
You want a free counseling resource you can refer to with confidence.
You want a partner that will not slow your discharge timeline.
Caregivers, family members, and community partners
You are helping someone you love figure out the next step.
You lead a community organization, faith community, or partner agency that wants a referral path for long-term care questions.
Eligibility
Who and Where MI Options Serves
Adults age 18 and older
People who need long-term services and support, or are starting to think about it.
Caregivers and family members helping a loved one.
Statewide across the upper and lower peninsulas.
There are no income limits. There are no asset limits. PCOC is free for everyone we counsel.
Lower Peninsula call 734-282-7171 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Statewide call 1-800-803-7174 (8am–8pm Mon–Fri)
One Conversation. A Clear Next Step.
You do not have to know what to ask. You do not have to have a plan yet.
Just call. A certified counselor will listen, walk you through your options, and help you take the next step in a way that fits your life. Free. Unbiased. Statewide.
Call Statewide MI Options
Located in the Upper Peninsula, or would prefer the statewide line?
Call Us
Call us today. There is no obligation.
Get the help you need to get back on track
We’re here to help. The Information Center is committed to advocating for our community. We’ll guide you through the services and resources that can get you back on track.
Common Questions About MI Options
Yes. Free for everyone we counsel. Funded through MDHHS. There is no fee at any point.
No. PCOC has no income limits and no asset limits. Anyone facing long-term care decisions can use it.
PCOC is options counseling - a counselor helps you understand and choose.
MI Choice is care coordination, TIC delivers and manages in-home care for people who qualify.
Both live at TIC. Many people use PCOC first and MI Choice later.
No. PCOC counselors are certified to be unbiased. The counselor helps you see your options. The choice is yours.
Anywhere in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Counseling is by phone, and in person where available.
If you live in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan’s statewide MI Options Call Center is 1-800-803-7174, open 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday.
No. PCOC is for everyone considering long-term care choices, regardless of insurance.
If you do have Medicare or Medicaid questions, we can also help with those through SHIP and MIPPA.
Yes. Caregivers and family members can call to start the conversation. We will work out next steps from there, with the person’s consent.
Most first conversations run 45 to 60 minutes.
Some people only need one session. Others come back for follow-up as decisions get closer.
Yes. Michigan’s statewide MI Options Call Center is 1-800-803-7174, open 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday.
The Information Center line is 734-282-7171, open 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.
Nothing. There is no obligation. You can talk to a counselor and walk away.