Q: I’m beginning to think I could use more help at home caring for my husband, but I am so worried about how we will afford the care. Does Medicare cover home care expenses? What should I do if I need services but don’t have the money to pay for it?

A: A common misconception for people who are considering home care for a loved one is that Medicare will help cover the cost. Unfortunately, Medicare typically does not cover non-medical, personal care services such as assistance with bathing, grooming and dressing. In most cases this is exactly the kind of care that people first needing home care require.

There are, however, a number of other options that can assist with payment. If you were lucky enough to purchase a Long-Term Care Insurance policy that is the first place to start as they generally include a daily benefit for home care. “Aid and Attendance Pension” allows qualified Vets or their surviving spouse to receive up to $20,000 annually to help pay for the cost of home care. Another option is to consider a Life Settlement, meaning an unneeded or unaffordable life insurance policy can be sold for a percentage of the face value. These options are little known and worth consideration when sorting out ways to pay for non-medical home care for a loved one.

At Freedom Home Care, we can help you navigate through the funding options available to you. We also do our best to make care affordable by working with each individual family to provide the care needed within their budget. Please contact Freedom Home Care at 507-387-HOME (4663) if you have questions about paying for care for your loved one.

Chris Mihm
Owner/Administrator
cmihm@freedomhomecarellc.com