Try these alternative ways to pay for home care

Home care allows for the elderly, senior citizens and people with disabilities to continue to live in their homes, but with trained help for personal and some medical care. It’s less expensive than paying for a nursing home or assisted living facility. However, it can still be costly for people on limited incomes.

There are different ways to pay for this service, including some health insurance policies, long-term care policies, Medicaid and Medicare. There are also some volunteer programs that can help those considered to be low income. Most of the time, home care is paid for by the elderly person or an adult child. This can be a harsh reality; however, home care is often the way a loved one can be kept out of a nursing home.

Consider the following:

Out-of-pocket

In order to find the best deal for home care, you’ll need to do your research. Compare fees and services. You should also interview the agencies that you are considering.

Long-term care insurance

While most long-term care insurance plans pay for part of expenses for nursing home or assisted living care, adult day care services and home care are also covered to some extent. Depending on the policy, there could be a waiting period from 30 to 120 days before the benefits become available. It’s best to ask questions about the policy before the benefits are needed.

Health insurance

Not many health insurance plans cover home care unless it’s for skilled nursing care. Disability policies don’t include any home care at all.

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare pays for skilled nursing care if there is a related, recent hospitalization, but it is limited to 100 days. Medicaid pays for home care, although the services that are covered can vary depending on where you live. The federal requirements are often stricter than what the states require for eligibility.

These are just a few of the possible ways to pay for home care. If you do not have a long-term care policy set up yet, it is best to make this purchase sooner instead of later. If you have this policy and your claim for coverage is denied, an experienced attorney can provide information on your legal options.

Source: myprimetimenews.com, “Ways To Pay For Home Care,” Oct. 15, 2016