How Much Does Home Health Care Actually Cost?

It’s a good question, but unfortunately not one with a simple answer. Depending on how much help is needed, which agency you choose and where you live, the cost will vary significantly.

Why in-home care to begin with?

Particularly today’s aging population are choosing home health care to allow them to age in place, instead of spending their later years in a nursing home or other facility. And it makes sense for more than just personal reasons: 

• The cost of care is lower
• Health outcomes are improved
• Patients feel more satisfied with the services

What does home health care include?

Home health care—both medical and non-medical—is provided to patients in their homes by licensed medical professionals, such as nurses, certified nurse assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and health aides.

Depending on a patient’s needs, Interim HealthCare of Allentown provides a wide range of services that include: administering prescription medications, nutrition therapy or injections, wound care and patient/family education. Learn more

How much are you going to pay?

The cost of home health varies, particularly by geographical location. Services tend to cost more in areas where the minimum wage is higher and it’s more expensive to live.

Whether you’re looking for an agency in a rural or urban area can also make a difference. Often, services are in shorter supply in rural areas, meaning the few agencies there will likely charge higher rates.

The Cost of Care survey

Every couple of years, Genworth completes a Cost of Care research survey, and the numbers from 2021 match a growing trend: that cost of care is only going up. Using Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey tool, you and your family can calculate the cost of long term care across the U.S. It is also important to note that there are different types of caregivers from non-skilled to licensed Nurses and the cost can vary depending on the level of care needed. Understanding what the median cost is today will help you plan for yours or your loved ones’ care in the future. 

How to pay for home health care

We speak to families about home care every day, and for many, the comfort and peace of mind that home health offers is well worth the investment. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help families with in-home care expenses. Here’s a look at some of the most common ways to pay for home health care.

Private Pay

Private pay means an individual or their family will use existing savings or assets to cover the cost of care services. 

Health Insurance

Long-term care insurance helps you prepare for care costs in old age. Every long-term care insurance policy is different, but many do help cover home health care.

Medicare

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for seniors older than 65, who have worked full time for at least 10 years. Medicare is split into the following four parts:

• Part A (which is free for most people) helps cover hospitalization, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and some home health care.
• Part B (which costs about $100 a month) covers outpatient services such as doctor’s visits, lab tests, preventive care, some surgeries, clinical trials, mental health care and durable medical equipment and supplies.
• Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage) varies in cost and allows individuals to enroll in Medicare health plans sold by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare.
• Part D helps cover prescription drug costs.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint state and federal program that provides health coverage to seniors with low income and limited assets. Benefits are administered on a state level, so eligibility requirements and covered services can differ greatly.

Veteran Assistance Options

Veterans who are signed up for VA healthcare can tap into benefits that help pay for in-home care. These benefits can be used to cover in-home care including skilled nursing care; home health aide services; physical, speech and occupational therapy; and medical social services.

How can you get home health care?

If you are in the hospital, a nursing home or a rehabilitation facility, you or your family can ask that a nurse or a therapist come to your home. Someone in the discharge planning will give you a list of home health agencies that take care of people where you live or will be staying. You can also ask your doctor or someone in his or her office about home health care.

At Interim HealthCare of Allentown, we carefully match each patient and family with caregivers who have the knowledge, skills and personality to fit right in. Your loved one receives the same care and devoted attention we’d give our own Mom.