Home care aides provide personal care rather than medical care. Therefore, health insurance and Medicare do not help with these costs. Families most commonly use Social Security, Veteran Pension and other pensions, or their savings to pay for care. For those fortunate enough to have long term care insurance, some plans include allowances for personal care. Home health care costs, on the other hand, are considered medically necessary and therefore they are covered, at least in part, by Medicare and other health insurance programs.
Options Available*
Medicare
Medicare will pay for 100% of the cost of care for 20 days at a skilled nursing facility and 80% of the cost for 80 more days. The care must be for recovery/rehab following a hospital stay.
Medicare does not pay for long term care at home or in assisted living and only for some of the cost for 100 days at a skilled nursing facility.
Medicaid/ Tenncare Choices
Medicaid provides medical and care service for seniors, the disabled and other financially stressed individuals. If a senior is financially and medically qualified, Medicaid will pay nearly all of his or her long term care costs. To be eligible for Medicaid, one must be financially qualified; but to be eligible for Medicaid’s long term care services, one must also be medically qualified.
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care, your income can’t be more than $2,094 per month. (If it is, you may be able to set up a Qualifying Income Trust.) AND, there are resource limits. (The home where you live doesn’t count. And, you can’t have given away or sold anything for less than what it’s worth in the last five (5) years.). You do not have to be impoverished to qualify, consult an expert with knowledge on Medicaid such as www.assistedseniorbenefits.com.
Veterans Administration
The Veterans Administration offers Aid and Attendance as part of an “Improved Pension” Benefit that is largely unknown. This benefit allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance as part of an “Improved Pension” Benefit that is largely unknown. This benefit allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist them in the daily living activities. This most important benefit is overlooked by many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help care for ailing parents or loved ones. This is a “Pension Benefit” and IS NOT dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. This benefit is paid directly to the veteran or surviving spouse and can be used to help pay for care in the home, Nursing Home or Assisted Living facility. It can, however, be a very difficult process to get qualified for, but we can help. Please fill out the “Contact Us” form or call 615-833-0456.
Long Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance generally covers home care, assisted living, adult daycare, respite care, hospice care, nursing home and Alzheimer’s facilities. If home care coverage is purchased, long-term care insurance can pay for home care, often from the first day it is needed. It will pay for a visiting or live-in caregiver, companion, housekeeper, therapist or private duty nurse up to seven days a week, 24 hours a day (up to the policy benefit maximum).
Private Pay
Private pay is a self-directed, private pay (self or third party pay) program which allows individuals real choice and control over their personal care services. Examples of a third party can include family members or a private insurance such as long-term care insurance or worker’s compensation insurance.
*This is a partial list of options available. Please contact us at info@assistedfamilycare.com to discuss your individual situation.
