How Families Pay for Home Care

Why this guide has no dollar figures or eligibility rules

Costs vary by hours, days and the level of help, and program rules depend on the individual and change over time. Anything we published would eventually be wrong for someone. What we can do is show you the routes families actually use and exactly who gives authoritative answers.

Private pay

Most non-medical home care in our area is paid directly by the family, usually billed by the hour after service. Ask any agency for: the hourly rate, the minimum visit length, whether weekends, holidays or overnight differ, what mileage or transportation costs are added, how often you are invoiced, and how to change or cancel scheduled visits. Get it in writing before service starts. We invoice on Net 7 terms and put rates in the service agreement.

Long-term care insurance

If a policy exists, read the benefit trigger section — it defines what has to be true for the policy to pay, typically needing help with a set number of activities of daily living or having a cognitive impairment. Then call the insurer and ask: what documentation is needed to open a claim, is there an elimination period of days before benefits start, is there a daily or monthly maximum, and does the policy require a licensed agency. Agencies can usually supply visit records and care notes for the claim.

Veterans benefits

Some veterans and surviving spouses may have access to benefits that help with care at home. We do not determine eligibility for any VA benefit and neither should any agency — the VA does. Start with the VA directly or with an accredited veterans service officer in Georgia.

Georgia programs

Georgia operates programs connected to aging services and, for people who meet the requirements, Medicaid waiver programs that can include in-home support. Eligibility is determined by the state and the administering agency, not by us. The Georgia Division of Aging Services and your regional Area Agency on Aging maintain current information and can screen a situation.

Questions that save money

• Could fewer, better-targeted hours do the job — for example bathing help only?
• Is there a family member who could reliably take two of the shifts?
• Would a home safety change reduce the hours needed?
• Are there local congregation, community or transportation supports already in place?

What to expect from us

A written plan, a written rate, and a straight answer about whether we can meet the need. If private pay is not workable and a program route is possible, we will tell you where to start even when it means you do not become our client.