Paying for Home Care Services

Historically, medical insurance has not paid for on going day in day out home care. Typically, this is paid for out of your own pocket. Other options include:

• Medicaid Long Term Care Managed Care: This program provides 6-25 hours of care a week. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for details.
• Veterans Aid and Attendance: Veterans that meet certain service, asset and income tests may qualify for up to $2,100 per month for a married couple.
• VA Community Based Care (formerly VA Home Health Aid Program): Veterans under VA care can get a home health aide to visit them for bath, homemaking and respite care. The hours may be limited (3 to 20 a week). See your VA social worker for details.

There are three other avenues to pursue to create funds for home care:

• Reverse Mortgages: For those of us 62 and over that have invested most of our net worth in our homes, this is a tool to tap into our equity to provide funds for health and home care type expenses.
• Long Term Care Insurance (and LTC riders to Life Insurance): typically you purchase this before an event occurs that causes you to require assistance.
• Medicare Advantage (New for 2019 and beyond): for the first time Medicare is starting to pay for home care. It is only under the Advantage programs and only about 130 hours a year, but it is now available.