Can I Get Paid For Taking Care Of My Elderly Parent
As your mother or father has gotten older, youve stepped up to the plate to take care of them. You may or may not have quit your job. Maybe now they live with you full-time so you can offer as much care as you can reasonably provide.
If youre curious whether you can get any reimbursement or compensation for the money and time you put forth for your elderly parents care, be assured that you usually can under Medicaid. *NOTE: Keep in mind that Medicare and Medicaid arent the same thing.
Regular Medicaid, which is the Medicaid program that is governed by each state, generally covers Adult Foster Care as a Personal Care benefit, as long as the senior meets the Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Under the Personal Care benefit, a personal care attendant can provide services for the senior in the elders own home or in the adult childs home. Personal care services would be something like helping the senior bathe or dress, helping them eat, or helping them transfer from bed to a chair or wheelchair.
Depending on the state in which you live, Medicaid has the following options where you could possibly earn payment in some form:
Depending on the state, Medicaid will also cover such things as:
- Certain transportation expenses you provide for the senior
- The cost of preparing and serving a meal, as well as clean up. It will not cover the cost of the elders food.
Adult children helping older parents should also look into these options in which they could get some money:
What You Pay For Home Health Services
All eligible Medicare recipients pay the following for home health services:6
- $0 for home health services
- 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment like a walker, wheelchair or hospital bed
Before home health care begins, your home health agency should explain your bill. This includes what Medicare will help cover, what Medicare wont cover and how much youll owe . The details of what isnt covered by Medicare must be given to you in an Advance Beneficiary Notice before you receive any uncovered items or services.7
How Do I Find A Caregiver
If you want to research certified agencies in your area, Medicare has a tool to help you find a home health agency. Once you locate an agency near you, you can use Medicares home health agency checklist to determine whether the agency will provide the level of care you want.
Your state survey agency keeps an up-to-date report on the quality of care given by home healthcare providers. You can check Medicares resource guide or survey agency directory to find the telephone number or email address of the agency in your state.
Medicare only lets you receive care from one home health agency at a time. If you decide to change which agency you use, you will need a new referral from your doctor. You will also need to inform your old agency that youre switching providers.
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Medicare Is A Federal Health Insurance Program
- Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
- Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
- Advantage Plans is a type of health plan offered by private companies that contract Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Those are Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.
- Part D adds Prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. These plans offered by private companies and approved by Medicare.
How To Choose A Home Care Provider
Once enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can then start looking for a licensed home care provider in your area that can deliver the services you need.
Heres how to narrow down your search list:
- What do others say about them?
- What accreditations and certifications do they have?
- Do they provide ongoing staff training?
- Do they thoroughly screen their caregivers?
- Whats their emergency backup plan?
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What Is The Eligibility For Medicare Advantage Plans
Most people arent eligible for supplemental Medicare plans, or Medicare Part C, unless theyve already been approved for traditional Medicare. Also, applicants must be under the care of a physician and receive services that are regularly reviewed by the doctor. Those applying for supplemental Medicare must also be receiving physical or occupational therapy and be certified as homebound.
Eligibility for a Medicare Advantage Plan depends on the requirements for each plan. Coverage varies according to the provider and the state. Even within a state, different areas may have different types of eligibility requirements.
For questions, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or TTY at 1-877-486-2048.
Who Is Eligible For In
In order to access the available home health care services, you will need to have Medicare Part A and/or Part B. In addition, you need to meet the following conditions:
- You must be under the care of a registered doctor, and your case must be reviewed regularly by your doctor.
- Your doctor must certify that you need skilled nursing care or therapy.
- You must require physical, occupational, or speech therapy for a limited period of time.
- You must be housebound, meaning that you are unable to leave home without considerable effort or support.
- You must have certification from a doctor that you are housebound following a documented encounter with your doctor no more than 90 days before or 30 days after your home health care starts.
- You are under an established plan of care from your doctor that is reviewed regularly and includes what services are needed, how often they are needed, who will provide them, what supplies are required, and what results are expected.
- You must only require part-time skilled nursing .
- The home health agency providing care must be Medicare certified.
You will not be eligible for home health benefits if you require more than intermittent skilled nursing care. However, you may leave your home for medical treatment for short outings such as religious services. You will still be eligible if you attend adult daycare.
For more on who qualifies for services, have a look at Medicares website.
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Does Medicare Cover Palliative Care
For people living with a serious, life-limiting illness, palliative care provides specialized medical support for the patient and their families. Throughout the palliative care process, health care providers focus on relieving symptoms, but also address the emotional toll the illness is taking on the patient and their loved ones. The palliative care team will work together to improve quality of life for everyone involved.
Palliative care and hospice are often confused. Hospice is a type of palliative care, but palliative care can be provided regardless of whether or not the illness can be cured. While palliative care can be practiced in a hospice setting, it is also practiced cooperatively with treatments for other illnesses either in the home, hospital, or in a skilled nursing facility.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, or Alzheimers disease, your health care provider may suggest you begin palliative care in tandem with your treatment. This specialized care provides emotional, psychological, and spiritual support for patients and their family members. It is important for you to know whether your Medicare insurance covers palliative care, and exactly what that care entails.
How Medicare Can Help Pay for Palliative CareMedicare Part A will cover hospice care if you meet the following conditions:
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Home Care Vs Home Health Care
Before a discussion of home care payment options, it is helpful to differentiate between home care and home health care. Home Care Aides provide custodial care. They help persons with their activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, housekeeping and transportation. This is also referred to as personal care, attendant care, non-medical care and companion care.
Home Health Aides offer care such as checking patients pulses, temperature or respiration. They assist with medications, braces, ventilators and other medical equipment. And they can provide higher level skilled nursing as well as more basic personal care. Home health aides are also referred to as nurse aides, nursing assistants, certified nursing assistants and geriatric aides.
Helpful Resources
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Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care
Recovery at home can be more comfortable and less costly than a lengthy hospital stay. Home health care can be a good solution for those patients who need care for recovery after an injury, monitoring after a serious illness or health complication, or medical care for other acute health issues. Medicare recipients may get help paying for home health care if you meet specific criteria.
What is Home Health Care?
Home health care covers a wide range of treatment options that are performed by medical professionals at home. Care may include injections, tube feedings, condition observation, catheter changing, and wound care. Skilled therapy services are also included in home health care, and these include occupational, speech, and physical therapy services that are necessary to treat your specific illness or injury. Occupational therapy aims to increase daily functionality in regular activities, such as eating or changing clothes. Speech-language pathology can improve language and speech skills, and physical therapy can help you get back on your feet and may include walking, improving mobility, and and increasing strength.
Medical social services may also be covered under your Medicare benefits. These include counseling services and can provide community resources to address social and emotional distresses.
Home Health Care Coverage Options for Medicare Recipients
If you require full-time care, other options besides home health care need to be explored.
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Iii Medicare Coverage Of In
When it comes to Medicare coverage of in-home care, it is crucial to distinguish between standard home care and home health care. Medicare does not cover any standard in-home care because it is considered custodial care rather than health care. However, Medicare does cover eligible home health care services, which we explore in more detail below. Furthermore, in some cases, Medicare may actually cover custodial in-home care if delivered with home health care services from the same provider. Ultimately, seniors and their families should be aware that theyre unlikely to get help from Medicare paying for regular in-home care, but may have at least some home health care services covered by Medicare.
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Using Medicare Advantage To Pay For In
In October 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved new Medicare Advantage guidelines that allowed a greater degree of flexibility for enhanced quality of life, including expanded coverage for home care. The purpose of this is to allow seniors to continue living at home as long as possible. Previously, coverage for home health care services was limited to skilled nursing care. Now, some Medicare Advantage plans cover services like housekeeping and laundry, meal delivery, ride-share for medical appointments and aides to help with the activities of daily living.
Unlike home care services that are generally retained through an agency, in-home services may be provided by a professional caregiver or even a family member or friend. Some covered services are preventative in nature, such as healthy meals or wellness programs, which may allow the enrollee to avoid future health problems. Generally speaking, benefits like these are limited to a certain number of hours of care in a calendar year.
The first step in having in-home care covered is to enroll in a Medicare Part C plan instead of the traditional Medicare Part A or Part B plans. Its important to note that unlike traditional Medicare, in which the government pays the healthcare providers for services, Medicare Advantage programs are provided by Medicare-approved private health insurance companies. Therefore, coverage, restrictions and costs differ widely from one plan to another.
Will My Love One Be Covered
Medicare covers seniors over 65 years old.
Medicare is available for certain people with disabilities who are under the age of 65. That includes people who have received Social Security Disability Insurance for a total of at least 24 months, have end-stage renal disease or permanent kidney failure, or have Lou Gehrigs disease .
If you qualify for Medicare, its still not certain that your long-term care will be covered. Medicare concentrates on short-term care for conditions which will eventually improve.
This means Medicare will not pay for most long-term home care services or personal services such as help bathing, dressing, or help going to the bathroom.
To help you understand you or your loved ones ability to finance respite care or home care services, Visiting Angels offers free consultations over the phone and at your home.
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Medicare Approved Home Health Agencies
In-home services must come through a Medicare-approved Home Health Agency. Medicare covers in-home care for seniors with personal, hands-on care for an intermittent time. Beneficiaries must meet health requirements.
Home health agency services in Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Massachusetts may offer a Medicare demonstration program. This program gives you and your home health agency an earlier idea of coverage.
Medicare reviews your situation and pays the allowable expenses if the services are medically necessary, and you meet conditions.
Life Insurance Policy Conversions
Life insurance holders have a variety of ways of converting their policy into cash or home care services prior to the policyholders passing. There are three options that allow individuals to stop making premium payments and receive immediate payouts on their policies without passing. Viatical settlements are designed for individuals with less than a 2-year life expectancy. Life settlements are intended for persons with longer life expectancies. Life insurance conversions give consumers the greatest value for their life insurance policy. However, the benefit comes in the form of care services instead of cash. Pros, cons, and eligibility information is available for viaticals, life settlements, and conversion programs.
Life insurance policies can be converted into home care services, preserving the policyholders eligibility for Medicaid. Learn more.
Accelerated death benefits and death benefit loans are two other ways individuals can receive cash for life insurance in advance of their death. However, with these two options, the policyholder must continue to make their monthly premium payments.
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Which Services Are Covered By Medicare
According to the Medicare website, there is a range of both skilled and unskilled services that are partially covered by Medicare. The services are covered by Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B depending on the type of service required. In most cases, Medicare covers up to 70% or 80% of the costs, but there are exceptions.
Also, the majority of the services covered by Medicare fall under the skilled nursing or skilled medical care umbrella, including:
- Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Part-time or intermittent home health aide services
- Injectable osteoporosis drugs for women
If, however, you need skilled nursing care on a short-term basis, you must be under the care of a physician who reviews and approves the plan of care created by the home health agency on a regular basis.
What Medicare Pays For
You will have 100 percent of your home health care costs paid for as part of Medicare Part A, while it is worth noting that there is no limit on the number of home visits they will pay for. In addition, should your physician prescribe home care, Medicare will pay for the initial evaluation to see if you are a good candidate.
Something to bear in mind is that Medicare Part A will only pay for home health care if it comes after a prior three-day stay in hospital, otherwise it will be Medicare Part B that pays out for home health services.
Medicare will fund 100 percent of home health care services if it is related to:
- Part-time skilled nursing care-usually two to three visits per week in a plan certified by a physician
- Physical therapy
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Iv Getting Started With Medicare
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for most Americans over the age of 65, and younger adults with qualifying conditions. Like most health insurance programs, Medicare covers some, but not all, health care expenses. As discussed above, Medicare does not cover in-home care for those who need personal care assistance, but it may cover home health care in qualifying situations.
Read on if youre unsure if youre eligible for Medicare or how to sign up for Medicare.
Private Pay For Home Health Care Services
Private pay may be an option if you need home health care services but dont qualify for a government insurance program, if you dont have private insurance, or if you desire more services than these programs cover.
For several reasons, many seniors and their families choose to pay out-of-pocket for private care:
- Paying out-of-pocket gives you greater flexibility in the type and amount of services you order.
- In some cases, a patients Medicare coverage or other private insurance coverage may not pay for all of the home health care services needed or wanted.
- It may be that the benefits have been exhausted, or perhaps the patients medical needs do not qualify them for covered home care services.
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