Whether due to old age, sickness, or injury, many Americans can end up requiring extra help when it comes to maintaining their daily routine at home. Because most people in these situations would prefer to remain at home than move to a residential facility, they opt for home care. This means that a family caregiver or personal care aide visits or lives with the person in need and helps take care of them. Sometimes, these caregivers provide medical services such as occupational therapy or nursing services. However, most of the time, all that is needed from home care services is help with routine daily tasks such as bathing, grooming, and meal preparation as well as domestic chores like laundry and housekeeping. This variety of non-medical care is usually handled by a home care agency.
Sometimes, a combination of medical and non-medical services is required. Because of this, people are often unsure if Medicare or Medicaid can cover home care. The rules governing home care vary from state to state, but in this article, we will look specifically at the state of Colorado.
Does Medicare Pay for Home Care in Colorado?
Home care is associated with a higher quality of life and better long-term health compared to a nursing home. Allowing the patient to maintain their independence while staying in a familiar environment has many benefits that result from freedom, staying active, and improved contact with their support network.
However, home care does come with costs, either in the form of wages for a professional in-home caregiver or in terms of time and money spent supporting a loved one as a family caregiver. In either case, you might be wondering if you can get Medicare to cover home care in Colorado.
The answer depends on the person’s circumstances. Medicare in Colorado only covers home care if specialized medical treatment is a necessary part of it, i.e., home health care. However, there are options apart from Medicare that can provide assistance with home care. Home care agencies in Colorado may offer services covered by Medicaid that give you more options for home care than what is available through Medicare.
Medicare For Home Care In Colorado
Medicare’s home health benefit only covers home care services that require the intervention of a skilled medical professional such as a nurse or a therapist, e.g., a speech, physical, or occupational therapist.
Even in this case, it is a requirement that the patient be homebound, i.e., unable to leave the home under their own power without assistance from another person or equipment such as a wheelchair or walker.
If you meet these conditions, then home care can be covered by hospital insurance, known as Medicare Part A, when you are discharged from the hospital or facility. Otherwise, home health care will be covered by Medicare Part B, also known as medical insurance.
How To Get Medicare To Pay For Home Care in Colorado
If you meet the aforementioned conditions of being housebound and requiring skilled medical care, then you need to start the application process by asking your doctor for a list of home health agencies (HHAs) that are certified by Medicare. You will then need to contact the HHAs yourself to arrange home care. If you are still in the hospital, ask a discharge planner to contact the HHAs on your behalf.
The next step is a visit from the HHA to conduct an assessment of your needs and create a care plan, which must then be approved by your doctor either iwithn 90 days before or 30 days after the start of home care.
Does Medicare Cover 24/7 Home Care In Colorado?
Unfortunately, patients who need 24-hour daily care are not covered by Medicare’s home health benefit. Medicare also does not cover the cost of any of the following:
- Prescription medications
- Food delivery
- Homemaking, laundry, or housekeeping services
If you or a loved one is in need of 24/7 care or could benefit from non-medical home care services, it may better to find a reputable home care agency.
Home Care Agency With Medicaid In Colorado
Nova Home Care is a home care agency that provides professional, personalized in-home care services in Colorado. Our services are covered by Medicaid and we can help you apply for benefits.
If you are taking care of a family member and looking for financial support, you can apply to be a caregiver with Nova and receive a salary, training, health insurance, and employment benefits for taking care of a relative in need.
By choosing Nova Home Care Colorado, you can benefit from services beyond what Medicare will cover, such as:
- Personal care, including help with grooming, meal prep, mobility, and other daily activities
- Transportation to and from appointments, social events, and errands
- Companionship and mental stimulation
- Contact us online or call 317-537-2490 to find out more about how we can help you or your loved one live a safe and satisfying life at home.