So your loved one needs home care… Whether it is due to a recent hospitalization or the goal of being able to age in place, there are many reasons people turn to home care. Maybe your parents are getting older and losing their mobility. Maybe your adult child has suffered a brain injury and has high-level care needs. Whatever circumstances may be, if you’re at the point of considering home care, you probably have many questions.
For many, pricing is one of the first things they consider when thinking about Home Care. You may have questions about what insurance pays for and what it does not. Will you have to pay out of pocket? Is home care the right choice for you financially? What about alternatives to home care? If you’re struggling with any of these questions, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s figure this out together!
What is home care?
“Home care” is a term used to describe any type of non-medical assistance someone receives in their home due to an injury or illness. This assistance is provided by a professional caregiver, also known as a Home Health Aide. These services include cleaning, cooking and other tasks for those who cannot perform these tasks on their own.
How does home care work?
When evaluated for home care services, Registered Nurses (RNs), physicians, and other healthcare professionals may work together to create a Plan of Care for the person receiving home care. In that Plan of Care, a Home Health Aide (HHA) can assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including: bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding. They can also assist with the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as, medication reminders, light housekeeping, errands, and meal prep. Caregivers can and do also provide essential companionship to home care clients.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare is a federal and state-funded program that provides free and low-cost healthcare for people over the age of 65, or who have disabilities. Medicare will pay for certain aspects of home care, but not all. For example, Medicare will pay for what’s considered intermittent in-home nursing services or physical therapy. This means that care is provided either fewer than seven days a week, or daily for less than eight hours a day, for up to 21 days. Medicare does not cover care that’s custodial in nature. Custodial care refers to supportive care for those who are incapable of managing daily living functions such as dressing, bathing, or preparing food. This distinction is subtle, but important to understand while navigating the home care system.
General Costs of Home Care & Alternatives
Accessing adequate care does not have to cost you a fortune. The general costs can be broken down into 3 distinct buckets:
- Current annual costs are averaged at $66,352 without insurance. This cost varies by agency and location. Home care costs vary by state. Median state costs range from $18 an hour to $36 an hour.
- Assisted living facilities offer a housing alternative for older adults who may need help with daily activities, but they do not require the intensive medical and nursing care provided in nursing homes. The average annual cost for an assisted living facility in NY is $54,960.
- Long-term care are services that include medical and non-medical care that is provided to people who are unable to perform basic activities of daily living. Long-term services can be offered at a range of places but mostly nursing homes. The average annual cost for a year of long-term nursing home care in NY is $158,797.
What is Private Client Home Care?
Private Client Home Care, also referred to as Private Home Care is home care that is paid for on an out-of-pocket basis, which means clients or their families pay either the home care agency or the caregiver directly, as opposed to going through insurance. Because the service works on an individual basis, private duty home care services can be customized to meet the unique needs of each client, and can vary more in cost.
At Renaissance Home Care, we understand that caring for a loved one with complex medical needs can be a daunting experience. That’s why we offer Medicaid-funded Private Duty Nursing services that are designed to provide prompt, skillful care and support to individuals and their families. Our team of highly trained and experienced Nurses provides medical care in the comfort of clients’ homes, ensuring that they receive the attention they deserve while being able to remain in a familiar and supportive environment. Our Private Duty Nursing services include a range of available services including Medication Management, Wound Care, and Ventilator Care
and more.
Ways to Pay
Private pay, or out-of-pocket care, is the most common way for people to pay for home care. However there are various insurance options available for covering Home Care costs:
- Long Term Care Insurance can help pay for many types of care including home care. Policies range in coverage, so if you’re curious about this option a Renaissance Home Care representative can review your policy and advise you on your options.
- Reverse mortgages can sometimes be used to pay for long-term care expenses, such as:
- home care services
- assisted living
- memory care
- nursing home care for a spouse or parent
- Catastrophic Insurance coverage helps you pay for unexpected emergency medical costs that could otherwise amount to medical bills you couldn’t pay.
- Life insurance policies that include a long-term care benefit can reduce the concern about paying for long-term care insurance. These combination life insurances or hybrid life insurance policies can be used to pay for long-term care expenses.
- If you’re signed up for VA health care, you can get home-based health care as part of your Veteran benefits. The services that you qualify for will depend on your needs.
Renaissance Home Care accepts the following Insurances for home health services:
- Chartwell IV Company
- Cigna through eviCore (Infant Wellness Checks)
- Coventry Health Care
- Advantra Choice Plan HMO
- Advantra One PPO
- Advantra Silver HMO
- Advantra Gold PPO
- Aetna
- Aetna Medicare HMO & PPO (but not Aetna Better Health)
- Core Source
- Health America
- Health Assurance
- Forbes Hospice
- HOMELINK
- Medicaid (PDA Waiver clients only)
- Medicare
Summing it Up:
Overall, For many older adults, home care is an economical option for obtaining necessary care services. While monthly fees vary by location and the degree of service required, on average, rates for home-based care come in about 42% lower than nursing home rates. While costs vary widely depending on numerous factors, Home care costs tend to be considerably less expensive than round-the-clock nursing home care, which could include dispensing medicine and night supervision.
If you or a loved one are considering home care, Renaissance is happy to answer any questions, or help address any concerns. Our services allow people to maintain their independence while they receive the care they need in the comfort of their homes. For any inquiries, feel free to call, email, or visit our website and submit an inquiry online. Understanding the costs of home care may be a bit confusing, that’s why Renaissance is prepared to help you navigate every step of the way.
DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.