Before applying for Medicaid, it is important that you do your research even if you will be hiring a Medicaid attorney. Some things you need to understand before applying are the eligibility requirements for your state, how it works, and the services it covers.
Medicaid covers a panoply of services. But does it cover home care? Before I reveal the answer, let us take a look at what home care is.
What is Home Care?
As the name implies, home care is a care that allows an individual with special needs to remain in their home. It might be for individuals who are becoming older. It could likewise be for individuals who are severely ill, recovering from a surgery, or disabled. Home care services include:
- Personal care, like assistance with bathing, washing your hair, or getting dressed up
- Household tasks, like cleaning, yard work, including laundry
- Cooking for you in your home, or delivering your meals to you
- Money management, like help filling out forms and ensuring that your bills are settled in time.
- Health care, like having a home health aide come to your home or getting care from your provider via telehealth.
You can get all the type of help you need at home. You have to pay for a lot of them. However, some types of care and community services are free or donated. Sometimes government programs or your health insurance will help settle the cost of some home care services.
Is Home Care Covered by Medicaid?
Medicaid is a government and state funded program designed for seniors, disabled, and those who aren’t financially buoyant. If you intend on applying for Medicaid, you may want to know if it covers home care.
Of course home care is one of those services covered by Medicaid. Medicaid will take care of the cost associated with your home care services and it does so in one form or the other, in all 50 states in the U.S.
Medicaid has, and will continue to pay for nursing home care for individuals who showcase a functional and financial need. But, in-home care offers an alternative for seniors who need help to stay at home, but wish not to move to nursing home residences.
In-home care or home care through Medicaid not only assists elderly individuals in maintaining their independence and age at home, but is also more cost-efficient option for the state than its counterpart.
Several states allow Medicaid recipients to dictate how they want to be cared for at home. This method of receiving services is known as consumer directed care, participant directed care, cash and counseling, and self-directed care, and often allow care recipient to hire relatives as paid care givers.
Services covered by Medicaid
Aside from Home Care, others are services covered by Medicaid are:
- Caregiver support
- Minor modifications to the home to make it accessible
- Medical equipment
In most states, it is possible for family members to get paid for offering care to a Medicaid recipient. The Medicaid applicant must apply for Medicaid and choose a program that allows him or her select his or her own caregiver, often regarded as “consumer directed care.” Most states that allow paid family caregiver do not allow legal guardians and spouses to be paid by Medicaid. However, few states do. Some states will pay caregiver only if they aren’t living together with the Medicaid recipient.
Bottom Line
Since Medicaid is administered via the state and states determine edibility, you will need to visit your state’s Medicaid office or website to apply. When applying, you will have to submit some documents such as proof of income, residency, age, and citizenship and / or immigration status for all members of your family. Reach out to your state Medicaid office for more information.
Worthy to note is that, getting approved for Medicaid is not a fast process, it can take time. Thus, it is advised that you begin the application process ASAP.
