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.
Types of Medicaid in Queens
There are different types of Medicaid. The type you fall within or apply for will determine whether your home care gets covered by Medicaid.
The three types of Medicaid in Queen
Institutional/Nursing home Medicaid – The benefits here are an entitlement to eligible individuals, and the benefits are provided only in a nursing home.
Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) – This is not an entitlement. The number of eligible applicants is limited and care can be provided in a nursing facility, at home, or adult day care.
Regular Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled – The benefits are an entitlement to all eligible applicants and can be provided at home or adult day care. If the applicant is married but applying alone, their income limit is $1,300 while asset limit is $23,400.
Home care covered by Medicaid in Queens
Home health care for seniors typically includes:
- Skilled nursing
- Home health aide services such as offering medication and bathing assistance
- Meal preparation and feeding
- Home cleaning and general sanitation
- Special therapy sessions.
So if you enroll for the MLTC or CDPAP Medicaid programs, you can get assistance from doctors, skilled nurses, personal care assistants, and therapists in your home, with the cost covered by Medicaid.
It is worthy to note that prescription drugs are not covered by Medicaid but by Medicare.
What does Medicaid cover?
Medicaid covers a host of things that border on long term care, whether in a nursing home facility or at home. It covers:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital expenses
- Home health care
- Nursing home costs for long term care.
- Pediatric and family nurse practitioner services, and the likes.
Medicaid does not cover prescription drugs. Medicare takes care of that.
Medicaid eligibility
Medicaid is a program that covers the healthcare cost of long term care for low income Americans who cannot afford the high cost of assisted living.
Notably, Medicaid caters to people of all age unlike Medicare. It caters to children and older adults, each with their own requirements, nonetheless.
The following persons can apply for Medicaid:
- Adults earning below $884 monthly and having an estate worth less than $15,900
- Pregnant women
- Single individuals
- Children below 18
- Someone having blindness or other disability
- Parents and caretakers
- New York residents
- Legal aliens.
- An individual wills huge medical bills
Eligibility for Medicaid is typical determined by your income. If you earn over the limit of $884 monthly with estate worth over $15,900, you may not qualify for Medicaid.
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.
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If you have questions or need help with your long term care in Queens, put a call through to our law firm.
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