Paying for In Home Care Services

When the need for in home care arises, caregivers and their loved ones are often faced with a few tough decisions. The toughest decision, however, is figuring out how they are going to pay for in home care services.

Listed below are some of the available options that seniors and their caregivers can further explore to help pay for the in home care services that are needed.

1. Medicare
   Depending on the type of in home care services being administered, Medicare may cover some or all of the costs of it. Generally, if a senior is home-bound and his or her physician orders medically necessary in home care services such as therapy or skilled nursing services, Medicare may cover the expenses. Besides in home care, Medicare may also cover needed medical equipment and supplies as well.
2. Medicaid
   For seniors with low income, Medicaid is an option that can help pay for needed in home care services. Medicaid is a medical assistance program that is equally funded by the federal and state governments, with each state managing its own program. Medicaid provides benefits to individuals with low or no income or those who meet other eligibility requirements.
3. Veterans Administration Benefits
   For U.S. veterans in need of in home care, there are several options. While many are under the assumption that the VA will only cover medically necessary services for veterans and their spouses, the VA offers other benefit options worth exploring such as the Aid and Assistance benefit which would cover in home care and other elderly services for veterans and their spouses.
4. Long-Term Care Insurance
   When first designed, long-term care insurance was intended to help individuals pay for catastrophic expenses associated with staying in a nursing home for a long period of time. Now that in home care has become the preference among many seniors today, long-term care insurance companies offer policies that extend coverage for in home care, as well as other elderly care services. Like most insurance policies, long-term care insurance policies will vary by company and by chosen options.
5. Self-Pay
   Seniors and caregivers always have the option to pay for in home care services out of their own pockets. In fact, it may be possible to negotiate lower fees with in home care providers when cash is the chosen method of payment.

In addition to all of the above options, there are countless community organizations and social services block grant programs that offer senior care assistance for those who need help paying for their in home care costs.