Home health care can often be more affordable, more convenient, and just as effective than care at a skilled nursing facility (SNF). While long-term care services may not be covered by private insurance plans, many senior citizens can leverage resources like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs benefits or savings accounts to pay for home healthcare services.
However, it is essential for seniors to remember that commercial health insurance typically won’t cover home care services unless the care is medically necessary and prescribed by a physician. Furthermore, most private providers set maximum payout amounts for in-home care services; seniors should check with their insurer and compare prospective policies prior to making decisions on which coverage options to purchase.
Private Medicare Advantage plans offering comprehensive home healthcare often cover nonmedical and supportive services like meal delivery and bathing assistance; however, their scope must remain within Medicare’s limits and cannot exceed them.
Medicare is a federally funded program targeted toward seniors over 65. Medicare Parts A and B provide coverage for various home healthcare services when prescribed by a physician and ordered through an approved Medicare-certified home health agency, such as short-term skilled nursing or rehabilitation. While such benefits may prove invaluable in treating serious, acute or chronic health conditions, they typically fall short when providing around-the-clock home care or helping with basic daily activities.
Some states, like New York, provide home health care through Medicaid programs for low-income seniors. These services often include support services and aides and may include additional benefits like home modification grants or transportation aid. Seniors interested in this form of home healthcare should speak to their county offices for the aging to learn more about its eligibility requirements and available programs.
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. These programs can be found in 30 states and serve similar to Medicare and Medi-Cal in terms of home healthcare provision; the main difference being that those eligible receive assistance from interdisciplinary medical and social service professionals to oversee their homecare needs.
Community organizations also provide funding for home care services, including religious organizations, nonprofits and senior centers. Meal delivery programs, home modification grants and other programs can make it easier for seniors to remain safely in their own homes.
Commercial general liability policies can also provide home healthcare agencies and their employees with significant protections. This type of policy covers third-party claims unrelated to injury or illness and saves organizations money by protecting against meritless lawsuits; this can especially benefit smaller agencies and aides that don’t have enough resources or time available to defend against frivolous cases.