Cost of In-Home Care Services

Costs vary from state to state and may be dependent on your insurance provider. Here, we explore costs and potential financial assistance for in-home care. To make the best choice, it’s essential to talk with a trusted professional for an assessment ­of your in-home care needs.

Some individuals only need care a few hours a day, thought the week, some may need round-the-clock care. We can meet these need with a live in professional or 24/7 care with a day and night shift. The cost of in-home care with services such as cleaning the house and cooking varies, depending on where you live and the services you need. We can discuss the most cost-effective options for your family.

Paying for In-Home Care?

As you look at in-home care costs, you’ll see a range of prices based on location, type of care and quality of care. To help choose the right level of care and navigate the payment approaches, our in home care specialist can walk you though options each step along the path. Often families use a combination of options to cover the needs of their loved one. They’ll walk you through it all, step-by-step. Families often choose one or more of the following financial sources to cover their loved one’s care:

  • Paying with personal funds helps cover services when you or your loved one’s care has reached the limits of service and support from sources such as Medicare. Sources of these funds can include personal savings, family members, a cash-out refinance, a home equity line of credit (HELOC), a reverse mortgage, certain life insurance proceeds (cash value or life insurance policies with “living benefits”) and other options.**

  • Long-term care benefits usually pay for in-home assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, incontinence care, transfers (from bed, chair, toilet, etc.), meal prep and more. If you or your loved one have this insurance, find out if the in-home care provider will help you process the claim and/or assist with billing.

  • Some in-home care providers are “in-network” with certain insurance companies.

  • There are some veterans’ benefits though the Veterans Aid and Attendance that might assist you with paying for home care. Contact your potential in-home care agency and they should be able to help you determine if you or your spouse qualify.

  • Medicare home health agencies provide service based on physician orders, usually for a specific condition and a set period of time. Medicare will cover certain types of in-home care, but it needs to be medical in scope (called in-home health care). However, if you require 24-hour care and there are specific services that you need infrequently, Medicare may provide coverage. Medicare may cover physical therapy, for example, but will not cover long-term supportive care. Medicare may cover skilled nursing but only for specific periods. Even if the home care agency doesn’t accept Medicare, they may be able to work with your Medicare home health agency to provide supplemental or ongoing care.

  • Each state decides what services are provided under their Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) waiver program. To qualify, your loved one must meet your state’s eligibility requirements and have income and assets below certain guidelines. You can learn more at Medicaid.gov.