There are different types of home care available to Medicaid participants in Brooklyn. The kind of care the participant receives at home will be based on the Medicaid program they opt for according to their unique needs.

However, you should know that not all Medicaid programs cover long-term care costs at home. Some only cover the cost within an assisted living facility or nursing home.

But there are special types of Medicaid programs in Brooklyn that cater to patients who desire to get their care at home.

Notably, some types of home care are only available by enrolling in a Managed Long Term Care (MTLC) plan.

Types of Medicaid home care programs in Brooklyn

·        Managed Long-Term Care (MTLC) plans

The MTLC is a Medicaid program established for eligible individuals having chronic diseases and/or disabilities who prefer to get their care at home. The state of New York requires Medicaid eligible individuals above 21 who are in need of community based long term care to apply for Managed Long Term Care plans.

The MTLC is ultimately a number of insurance plans of which the monthly premiums are paid by Medicaid on behalf of the Medicaid participant.

It also provides the external professionals necessary for professional care such as skilled nurses, personal care assistants, etc.

·        Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)

In some cases, the MLTC agency may provide a third party financial body that will offer the services typically provided by a personal care assistant. The Medicaid participant will be the one to hire the personal care assistant. He or she is thus in the driver’s seat, having the authority to hire who will care for them.

·        Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs

Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) are made available to individuals who naturally would only be eligible for Medicaid if they were in an assisted living facility. But the waiver allows such persons to receive the same care at home. In waiver programs such as this, the aim is to create a balance where comprehensive long term care services offered in institutional facilities can also be offered at home.

·        Medicaid Personal Care Services

Here, the participant receives nutritional, environmental support, and personal health care functions. The services rendered must be essential to the person’s well-being at home based on their needs and cost-effectiveness. It includes things like housekeeping, bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.

·        Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA) Services

This Medicaid home care service provides visiting nurse services and physical, occupational, or speech therapy (PT/OT). It also includes home health aide services and medical supplies. The nursing visit is occasional. They do not have to remain with the Medicaid participant round-the-clock.

·        Private duty nursing

Eligible individuals who are not in any MTLC plan can apply for private nursing services.

·        Hospice care

People who enrolled in MTLC plans may obtain hospice services outside the MLTC plan without having to opt out of MLTC.

Types of Home Health Care Services available in Brooklyn

The following are more specific home health care services (not programs) a patient may receive at home in Brooklyn.

·        Basic assistance care

This service involves helping the Medicaid participant in grocery shopping, cooking, and other chores.

·        Doctor Care

The participant may have a doctor visit them from time to time for medical checkup and assessment of their current home health care needs.

·        Nursing care

The doctor may recommend a nursing service based on the patient’s condition. The nursing care may include wound dressing, intravenous therapy, administering medicine, keeping track of the patient’s health condition, etc.

·        Medical social services

Here, medical social workers can help the patient locate caregivers and professionals just right for their needs.

·        Physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy

After a severe injury, some patients may need to relearn basic actions such as speech or daily routine. An occupational therapist can help a patient relearn basic functions like eating, bathing, grooming, etc. A physical therapist helps in using the muscles and joints. While a speech therapist can help the patient learn how to express themselves again.

Speak with an attorney

You may be looking at the different types of home care to know what options are available to you. It is important to get it right first time as issues may arise if you do enroll for the program that’s best suited to your needs.

Planning towards long-term care is critical and is best done with the help of an elder law attorney. Our elder law attorneys have been helping Brooklyn seniors and their families to navigate the issues of long term care. We are ready to help you too. Call us today.