Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: MSSP helps people 60 and older stay safely at home. It is for people who need the kind of care a nursing home gives. In Santa Clara County, Sourcewise runs MSSP. A nurse and a social worker plan and arrange your care. You need Medi-Cal.
Who runs it: Sourcewise / DHCS

What the program may consider

Age 60 or older
You have Medi-Cal or can get it
You would otherwise need nursing-facility level care
You live in a county with an MSSP site

How to get it

MSSP helps people 60 and older stay safely at home. It is for people who need the kind of care a nursing home gives. In Santa Clara County, Sourcewise runs MSSP. A nurse and a social worker plan and arrange your care. You need Medi-Cal.

Before you start

You need this first Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. You need Medi-Cal. Special MSSP rules may help if you are married, or would have a share of cost. A share of cost is an amount you pay each month before Medi-Cal pays.

How to apply

Sourcewise care management referral

One referral for MSSP and Sourcewise's other care management. Anyone can make it, with the person's OK.

The same application can also ask for CalAIM Community Supports and Enhanced Care Management.

PhoneSourcewise MSSP and care management line: (408) 350-3200, option 1Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Online formSourcewise care management interest formYou or a helper can fill it out. It covers MSSP and Sourcewise's other care management.

You can also use: Santa Clara Family Health Plan long-term care referral

For plan members. One form asks for adult day health care (CBAS), MSSP or IHSS. The plan reviews it in up to 5 business days.

Getting help

Someone can refer you, with your permission

Anyone can refer you, with your OK. That includes family, friends, doctors and community groups. The MSSP site then talks with you directly. To join, you sign the MSSP application yourself. If you cannot, a person with legal power to act for you, like a conservator, can sign.

Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.

What happens after you apply

Sourcewise calls to ask about your health and daily needs. A family member can help on the call. A referral does not promise a spot.
The program or providerA helper can help with this
Sourcewise opens new cases each month. It picks people with the most urgent needs first, not in the order they called.
Only if there is no opening
The program or providerNo set wait time. It depends on openings.
A Sourcewise nurse and social worker meet with you, at home or by video. They look at your health, your home and your daily needs.
The program or providerOnly you can do this
A nurse confirms that you need the kind of care a nursing home gives.
The state
You sign the MSSP application. It says you choose care at home instead of a nursing home. A legal representative can sign if you cannot.
YouA helper can help with this
Sourcewise asks the county to check your Medi-Cal again under MSSP's special rules. The county may contact you.
If you are married, or would have a share of cost or too much savings
The countyA helper can help with this
If you are not accepted, Sourcewise sends you a letter that says why.
Only if you are not accepted
The program or providerWithin 10 days of the decision.
You and your care team make a care plan. You sign it, or your legal representative does.
The program or providerA helper can help with this
Your care team sets up the services in your plan. It may also pay for some of them.
The program or providerOnly you can do this

What only you can do

Agree to the referral, and answer the phone screen.
Meet with the nurse and social worker, at home or by video.
Sign the MSSP application and your care plan, or have your legal representative sign.
Keep your Medi-Cal. Renew it each year, and report changes within 10 days.

How long it takes: No set time. It depends on openings and how urgent your needs are. It can take weeks or months.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when the site opens your case and gives you a care team. Before that, a nurse confirms your needs and you sign the MSSP application.
To keep it: A nurse checks your care needs again every year. Stay in touch with your care team. Keep your Medi-Cal and renew it each year. Report changes within 10 days. If the county used MSSP's special rules, the MSSP site sends it a yearly health update.

Can’t be combined with

Enhanced Care Management. You cannot get MSSP and Enhanced Care Management (ECM) at the same time. You choose one.
Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver. You cannot be in MSSP and the HCBA waiver at the same time.
Assisted Living Waiver (ALW). You cannot be in MSSP and the Assisted Living Waiver at the same time.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). PACE gives all your care. If you join PACE, you leave MSSP.

Coming changes

Starting July 1, 2027: Starting July 1, 2027, the Medi-Cal savings limit drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for a couple. Today it is $130,000 and $195,000. Special rules may help if you are married. You need Medi-Cal to stay in MSSP.
Starting January 1, 2028: Starting January 1, 2028, Medi-Cal long-term care has a $1,000,000 limit on home equity. Home equity is your home's value minus what you owe on it.