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The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is implementing its Next Generation MyCare program beginning in January 2026. The program will better serve Ohioans who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid healthcare coverage. To allow for a smooth transition, we will roll out the Next Generation MyCare program in two phases, beginning with each of the 29 counties where MyCare Ohio is currently available. Statewide expansion of the MyCare program will follow as quickly as possible. This phased timeline allows us to partner with all stakeholders to prepare for the program expansion and provide members as little disruption as possible.
While many of you, such as hospitals and clinics, have experience contracting with managed care plans like the Next Gen MyCare plans, we realize that home and community-based providers offering long-term care and waiver services are likely used to traditional Medicaid. Since these services are often coordinated by Ohio's Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), the phased timeline is organized around the AAA regions. See below for the full roll out approach:
 Phase 1: Current MyCare Counties (January 1, 2026)
On January 1, 2026, ODM will roll out the Next Generation MyCare program in each of the 29 counties where MyCare is currently available today. These counties have been a part of the MyCare Ohio program since 2015. This understanding of today’s program lowers the effort needed for transition.
January 1, 2026:
- AAA Region 1: Butler, Warren, Clinton, Hamilton, Clermont
- AAA Region 2: Montgomery, Clark, Greene
- AAA Region 6: Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison, Pickaway
- AAA Region 4: Lucas, Fulton, Ottawa, Wood
- AAA Region 10a: Lorain, Cuyahoga, Medina, Lake, Geauga
- AAA Region 10b: Summit, Portage, Stark, Wayne
- AAA Region 11: Columbiana, Mahoning, Trumbull
Phase 2: Remaining MyCare Counties (April 1, 2026 – Onward)
During Phase two, starting on April 1, 2026, and continuing through the year, ODM will roll out the Next Generation MyCare program in the remaining counties. On April 1, the below counties will be integrated into the Next Generation MyCare program. This approach allows all currently participating AAA regions that currently have experience in the MyCare Ohio program to bring the counties without MyCare today into the program, except for AAA region 2. Today, Catholic Social Services operates as the PASSPORT Agency Administrator in the non-MyCare Counties within AAA region 2, so additional time is needed for these counties.
April 1, 2026:
- AAA Region 4: Sandusky, Erie, Henry, Williams, Defiance, Paulding
- AAA Region 6: Fayette, Fairfield, Licking
- AAA Region 11: Ashtabula
The remaining counties without MyCare will join the Next Generation MyCare program beginning May 1, 2026, to allow us necessary time to prepare AAA regions to deliver a personalized care experience for all members.
May 1, 2026:
- AAA Region 2: Preble, Darke, Miami, Shelby, Champaign, Logan
- AAA Region 3: Van Wert, Putnam, Hancock, Allen, Mercer, Auglaize, Hardin
- AAA Region 5: Seneca, Huron, Wyandot, Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Marion, Morrow, Knox
June 1, 2026
- AAA Region 7: Ross, Vinton, Highland, Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Brown, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence
July 1, 2026
- AAA Region 9: Holmes, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Jefferson, Coshocton, Harrison, Belmont, Guernsey, Muskingum
August 1, 2026
- AAA Region 8: Hocking, Perry, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Washington, Athens, Meigs
This phased approach allows us to keep our focus on the individual rather than the business of managed care and provide continuity in the provision of members’ care, while preparing providers for this big change. To find additional information, visit the MyCare Ohio webpage on medicaid.ohio.gov.
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More young people will soon be able to get immediate help when experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced 12 providers were selected through a competitive process to provide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) throughout 18 Ohio regions. The implementation of this regional model paves the way for service expansion in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.
MRSS helps ensure children and youth are safe, served in their homes and communities, and receive necessary support and access to care they urgently need. The mobile response service provides assistance to young people aged 20 and younger and their families when that person is experiencing overwhelming mental or emotional distress, defined as a “crisis” by the person calling for help. Whether it’s at home, in school, or somewhere else in the community, calling the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will bring a team of trained professionals directly to the person in need.
Currently available in more than 50 counties, MRSS will expand across the state through 18 MRSS regions in Ohio. Each Regional MRSS Provider (RMP) announced will be responsible for all aspects of MRSS support in their region, including initial dispatch, de-escalation, stabilization, data monitoring, and quality care assurance. MRSS providers will also perform an assessment to determine if the youth qualify for the OhioRISE program that serves young people with significant behavioral health needs, providing supportive services and wraparound care coordination.
Read the full announcement here. For more information on MRSS, visit the OhioMHAS website.
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To enhance the security of the PNM system and protect the State of Ohio’s data, starting May 4, signing into the PNM secure web portal will require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA is a two-factor authentication process that goes beyond the State of Ohio ID (OHID) and password by using a second source of validation to verify your identity before granting access to State resources.
Immediate Action Required: We strongly urge you to set up MFA before May 4, to ensure uninterrupted access to PNM. If you are an existing PNM portal user and already have MFA set up for the OHID used to sign into the PNM portal, no action is required. Please refer to the multi-factor authentication user guide offering instructions for setting up your MFA.
"Ask Me Anything" Sessions: To assist you with this transition, we will be hosting Pre-MFA Go Live sessions on the following dates:
- April 24, 2025
- April 25, 2025
- April 30, 2025
- May 1, 2025
- May 2, 2025
"Ask Me Anything" Sessions: Additionally, we will have Post Go Live sessions on:
- May 5, 2025
- May 6, 2025
- May 7, 2025
These sessions will provide an opportunity to ask questions and get help with enrolling in MFA. Instructions on how to enroll in and join these “Ask Me Anything” sessions can be found here.
If you need assistance setting up MFA, please contact the ODM Integrated Help Desk (IHD) at 800-686-1516, option 7 or email IHD@medicaid.ohio.gov.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical security update.
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