Home health care can be an excellent way to support older or infirm individuals in staying independent, safe and healthy in their own homes. Unfortunately, however, home health care can often be costly, reaching $15,000 monthly for 24-hour care for a single individual. These costs could quickly exhaust their assets.

Medicaid can provide many people in need of home health care with assistance through home health programs in most states. This article will examine what each state’s program entails, the application process and eligibility requirements as well as which home care services it covers.

Medicaid is a federal program administered at the state level. Each program’s rules and regulations may differ, but eligibility requirements typically focus on income and resources of an individual as well as medically necessary for home healthcare coverage by a physician in order to receive coverage through Medicaid.

Step one in finding home care assistance is to reach out to your local Medicaid office, who will provide a list of home health agencies accepting Medicaid in your area. There are also online resources that allow you to filter agencies by location and service type; ask family and friends who have used these agencies before for their input, check reviews online for each agency, or read online testimonials about what other people had experienced when using them.

Medicaid’s most frequently provided home health care services include nursing and therapy visits from licensed healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Their frequency will depend on each beneficiary’s individual medical needs. Other forms of home care covered by Medicaid often include caregiver support services including training or respite care for family caregivers as well as covering any necessary equipment or supplies that might be medically required.

Medicaid also covers home modification services. These modifications include installing stairlifts, wheelchair ramps, or other adaptations that help make homes more accessible for individuals who require home care services.

There are also services specifically geared toward individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These can either be provided through waiver programs or as part of the regular Medicaid program.

Lamson & Cutner attorneys possess years of experience assisting their clients with applying and receiving home health care assistance from Medicaid. Our team of Elder Law attorneys can review your situation to see if you qualify, while helping establish a Pooled Income Trust to safeguard assets while qualifying for Medicaid without giving up independence. Reach out today – we look forward to speaking with you.