Home Health Care help from Medicare? Medicaid? Insurance Help?

Now that you are either in the role of caregiver or in the process of deteriinging how much wil be involved, let's talk about what financial help is available to you.

If your loved one has purchased Long Term Care insurance you will likely have coverage for private care through their services. But don't assume that, read the policy! Medicare may be available to help cover part of a limited home care or Medicaid if they fall into a low income category. Rules vary from state to state so do check the benefits in the state where your loved one resides. Other wise, you can expect to pay 100$ of the costs yourself.

Home care costs vary depending on the company as well as the number of services needed. Typically, it will be less expensive to find someone who can help you with the housework, groceries, laundry and other non-nursing type duties who is not with an agency. But, when you hire someone not through an agency you are limited on doing a CORI check. Agencies always do a CORI check--which is a criminal background check.

Agencies vary in prices as well. You'll usually find that your local hospital will have an affiliation that they may recommend. You're not obligated to use them, but usually it is a VNA (Visiting Nurses Associations)and their costs are typically lower than other agencies. Some VNA's are just wonderful, some mediocre, and some I wouldn't recommend. So do your homework. Ask, people who have used the services.

No matter who you have come in, ask what training they've had (first aid, certified nursing assistant, cpr) and find out if the agency does surprise spot checks.

What are the criteria for eligibility for Medicare Home Health Care Services?

1. The person must be recommended for medical care in the home by the physician who also develops a plan.

2. The person must need one of the following services:
a.) skilled nursing care on a part-time basis
b.) speech therapy
c.) occupational therapy
d.) physical therapy

3. Person must be homebound. This generally means that it would be with great difficulty for them to leave or is only for medical appointments or religious services.

4. The Home Health Agency must be approved by Medicare. You can call Medicare at 800-Medicare to find out what services would be available.