There are numerous circumstances in which people may require assistance with their daily activities at home. This can include aging, recovery from illness, surgery, or injury, chronic conditions, disabilities, or mental health challenges. Home care offers distinct advantages in health and well-being compared to residential facilities or nursing homes. However, the costs associated with home care can be a financial burden, even for those with family members available to provide care. That’s why you might find yourself asking, “Can I get home care through Medicare in Minnesota?”
While it is possible to access certain types of home care through Medicare in Minnesota, specific strict conditions must be met to qualify for these services. Nonetheless, Minnesota offers affordable and government-assisted support services for home care, which might better suit your needs. In this article, we will explore how to get home care services through Medicare in Minnesota and consider alternative options.
How To Get Home Care Through Medicare In Minnesota
Medicare’s home health benefit encompasses certain services such as therapy, care provided by visiting nurses, or assistance from home health aides. Depending on your situation, this could be covered by either Part A (hospital insurance) or Part B (medical insurance), but in either case, home care covered by Medicare in Minnesota must specifically require the services of a specialist medical professional such as a nurse or occupational therapist. It must also be short-term in duration, i.e., limited to a few weeks or months only.
To receive home care through Medicare, it must be delivered by a Medicare-certified home health agency (HHA). To initiate the process, you can request a list of HHAs from your doctor and contact them directly. If you are currently hospitalized, the discharge planner or a hospital social worker can assist in arranging post-discharge home health care. Subsequently, you will need to schedule a face-to-face meeting with a doctor within 90 days before or 30 days after commencing home health care. The doctor must approve a health plan, sign a home health certification confirming your homebound status, and verify the need for intermittent skilled care.
What Type Of Home Care Is Not Covered By Medicare In Minnesota?
Medicare will not cover any home care of the non-medical variety, which can include services such as assistance with dressing, mobility, groceries, cooking, housekeeping, or going to the bathroom. This type of personal care is often needed by aging seniors or people with permanent disabilities, but while Medicare won’t cover it, fortunately, there are other options that can cover these services
You can find out more about what is and is not covered by Medicare can be found here, but in general, Medicare will only cover home care that is strictly medically necessary and requires medical professionals to carry out.
Should I Choose A Home Care Agency?
After considering the eligibility criteria, you may find that you or your loved one do not qualify for or require the type of home care covered by Medicare, especially if skilled nursing or therapy services are not needed in the home. If your needs are more long-term, or lean more toward assistance with daily activities, concerns about frailty, transportation, or daily needs like meal preparation and housework, then you may be better served by contacting a home care agency in Minnesota.
Working through a home care agency empowers you to maintain control over the care services provided and enables you to create a customized care plan and schedule that aligns with your specific requirements.
For example, Nova Home Care Minnesota provides professional, personalized in-home care services throughout the state of Minnesota. Our services are covered by Medical Assistance–Minnesota’s Medicaid program–and we can help you organize a comprehensive care plan for yourself or a loved one that also includes financial support for family caregivers.Contact us online or call 317-537-2490 to learn more about how we can help you or a family member live a happy, fulfilled, and comfortable life at home.