What Are My Payment Options for In-home Care?
When considering in-home care, there are various options and resources for funding. In many cases it is even possible to use multiple sources together. The following is a summary of the various options available for paying for Ohio Valley in-home care:
Private Pay
Private pay rates can vary from agency to agency. Keep in mind that not all agencies have the same standard of care, and the quality of the in-home care agency’s services should be a major consideration, not simply the best rate. For in-home care in the Ohio Valley, you can typically expect to pay a rate of $15 to $24.00 an hour. Varying circumstances will also determine the exact rate, including the level of care or expertise needed, along with location and the quantity of hours contracted.
Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Program
The VA Aid & Attendance Program will allot 48-80 hours of in-home care per month without expense to qualifying veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses. Contact your local in-home care agency who services the Aid & Attendance benefit to see if you might qualify.
Veteran’s Homemaker Program
The VA Homemaker program provides 4-28 hours of care per week, determined by a veteran’s need. Unfortunately, veteran spouses do not qualify for the Veteran’s Homemaker Program. Registration to a VA clinic and a prescription from a VA clinic is required to become eligible for the VA Homemaker program.
Either call your local VA clinic or a local in-home care agency to see if you may be qualified for the benefit.
Long-term Care Insurance Policies
Most insurances, even government services such as Medicare, will not cover non-medical services. Some seniors may have opted to purchase a long-term care insurance policy that will fill that gap in coverage and cover non-medical in-home care. Check your policy to see if it might cover non-medical in-home care.
United Mine Workers Association (UMWA)
The UMWA offers a short-term option of respite care for qualified members and their spouses. The benefit of in-home care is not direct care awarded to the Mine Worker or spouse. Rather, it provides up to 4 hours of care per week to the Miner/spouse so that a family member providing direct care may have a break (respite) from providing care. Benefits are awarded in 90 day increments and could possibly be renewed, varying case by case.
Ohio Medicaid Passport Program
Those who are Medicaid eligible may qualify for the Ohio Passport program if they are a resident of Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Aging, the following are required to qualify for the Passport program:
- Age 60 or older;
- Financially eligible for Medicaid institutional care (As of 2013, this means typically earning no more than $2,130 per month for one person and having no more than $1,500 in countable assets, though individuals above this limit may be eligible based on the extent of their medical and in-home needs);
- Frail enough to require a nursing home level of care; and
- Able to remain safely at home with the consent of their physician.
For additional information, see their website at: https://aging.ohio.gov/services/passport/
Belmont County Senior Services (BCSS)
Senior residents of Belmont County may be eligible for Homemaking and Personal Care services through the Belmont County Senior Services division. Typically, the hours awarded are 1-3 hours per week for those who are in need. The program is not asset or income dependent and is funded by both a Belmont County levy and Area Agency on Aging Area 9.
Call BCSS to schedule an assessment of need at 740-695-4142.
West Virginia Aged and Disabled Waiver Program
The WV Aged and Disabled Waiver Program applies to anyone 18 years old and above who is in need of in-home care who meets both the medical and financial requirements. It is a Medicaid program that assists seniors and disabled in their own homes.
More information can be obtained at: http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/bms/Programs/WaiverPrograms/Pages/default.aspx
WV Lighthouse Program
According to its website, the WV Lighthouse program can be described as follows: “Lighthouse is designed to assist those seniors who have functional needs in their homes, but whose income or assets disqualify them for Medicaid services. The Lighthouse Program, available in each county, is funded entirely by state monies and provides support in four areas: personal care, mobility, nutrition, and housekeeping.”
Services through the Lighthouse program are often awarded through WV county senior centers, so it is a good idea to contact your county senior center to see if you or your loved one might qualify for benefits.
You can learn more about the Lighthouse Program from their website at: http://www.wvseniorservices.gov/HelpatHome/Lighthouse/tabid/74/Default.aspx
**Disclaimer: This information is only intended to provide educational information on some resources for in-home care for seniors in the Ohio Valley. There may be additional resources available that have not been identified. IC Care in no way takes professional responsibility for the exact details for each of the above programs. You are encouraged to research and discern whether you or your loved one could be qualified for any or several of the above payer resources.