The Role Of Illinois Medicaid And At Home Care
Indirectly, Illinois Medicaid plays a role in the process for some people to become paid caregivers. Though, the process is indirect and hands off from the role that Homecare Powered by AUAF will take in servicing your home care.
Its important to understand that in the state of Illinois and in the case of home care agencies in Illinois, home care agencies serve as a middle ground. Homecare Powered by AUAF trains and assigns home care aides. But, assessment and coverage of a home care recipient is determined by a CCU.
Though, this doesnt mean any more steps in the process for you. If you are applying to be a recipient of home care, you would still apply with Homecare Powered by AUAF. Hence, it is from there that Homecare Powered by AUAF will notify a CCU about your application for home care. A representative from a CCU will come to asses your need for home care. Once your level of need is determined, you will become a client and assigned a home care aide by AUAF.
Elderly Blind And Disabled Waiver
Waiver For Persons Who Are Elderly, Blind, or Disabled is a program to provide an alternative to nursing facility care for elderly, blind, or physically disabled persons. Effective April 1, 2014 – incorporated services formerly provided under the Persons Living with AIDS/HIV waiver .
Who Qualifies?
In order to be enrolled in EBD you must:
- either be 65 years of age and older with a functional impairment,
- or be between the ages of 18 and 64 and be blind or physically disabled
- be currently residing in, or be at risk of being institutionalized in a nursing facility or hospital
- have an income less than 300% the Supplemental Security Income allowance per month
- have countable resources less than $2000 for a single person or $3000 for a couple.
Top 5 Benefits:
- Adult day services
- Supplies, equipment, and medication management
Co-pay Costs:
| Program Information Page |
Examples Of Caregiver Child Efforts
Some states will require you to prove that your loved one would’ve needed institutional level care without you living in their home as their caregiver. To establish this, you may need to provide items such as:
- A statement from your loved ones doctor asserting that the above is true
- Medical records or professional documentation of your loved ones health conditions and diagnoses, such as a dementia diagnosis.
Its likely that youll also need to prove that you resided in your parents home for a minimum of two years prior to institutionalization. This may be proved through copies of the following documents:
- Bills or mail received at your parents address
- Proof of car insurance coverage
Additionally, you must prove that you provided care to your parent. You may be able to do this using the following:
- Your own documentation of your caregiving efforts
- Statements from witnesses who have seen you providing care to your parent
Its important to note that some states may frown upon an adult child working a job outside of the home while serving as their parents caregiver.
Read Also: Not Reporting Marriage To Medicaid
How To Get Paid To Be A Caregiver For Parents
There are close to 34 million Americans providing care for their parents, and many are not compensated for their time. The value that caregivers provide for free is estimated to reach $375 billion annually. Thats double the amount of what is actually spent on homecare services.
Being a caregiver is rewarding, but it comes at a cost. The average caregiver spends 20 hours a week caring for their loved ones and spends an average of $5,500 each year out-of-pocket.
At Medicare Plan Finder, we know how hard you work and how much you deserve financial support, and we want to help you understand how to get paid to be a caregiver for parents.
How To Get Paid As A Caregiver By Medicaid
For family caregivers to get paid by Medicaid, the process begins with the person who needs care applying for Medicaid in the state where he or she lives. If applicants meet the financial and functional requirements, then theyâll have to go through the process of determining whether they qualify for any state programs that offer consumer-directed personal care services. In Massachusetts, for example, you must need hands-on assistance with at least two activities of daily living to qualify for Medicaid-funded personal care attendant services, DâAgostino said.
There also will be an analysis to determine the number of hours that Medicaid will pay for care at home based on the needs of the applicant and budgetary constraints. âUnfortunately, you donât know what youâre going to get until you go through the process,â DâAgostino said. And the rate of pay for the family caregiver also is determined by the state Medicaid program.
That means family caregivers canât simply set their own rate and bill Medicaid for as many hours as they want. Also, be aware that it can take a while from the time applicants qualify for Medicaid to the time when they are approved to receive personal care assistant services. Even if family caregivers are providing care during that period, they wonât be paid retroactively because Medicaid home care services are only paid for after they are approved, DâAgostino said.
Don’t Miss: Rehabs In Michigan That Accept Medicaid
Final Thoughts On Getting Compensated For Taking Care Of Your Loved One
The statistic that struck us from the opening background section was the fact that the vast majority of family caregivers care for persons with Alzheimers or other types of dementia. Anyone who knows anything about caring for a family member with dementia knows only too well how overwhelming and totally immersing that cahttps://www.freedomcareny.com/posts/taking-care-of-your-parent-with-alzheimersn be.
As a family caregiver, irrespective of what your loved one suffers from, you take on enormous open-ended responsibilities that are stressful, often financially devastating, and always disruptive when it comes to your own personal growth and well-being.
The least that you can do is look for ways to at least get compensated for a portion of the time, effort and expenses you lay out on behalf of your loved one.
We therefore sincerely hope that some of the venues we described in this article prove appropriate for your circumstances and useful to you receiving compensation for what you do.
A Special Thank You From Melanie Highland Director Division Of Senior And Disability Services
Beginning in 2017, the Department of Health and Senior Services began recognizing unpaid caregivers throughout Missouri. We wanted to give a face to these unsung heroes. We also wanted to provide caregivers with information on how to keep their loved ones safe at home and give them tips on how to manage their own stress. Since then, we have received numerous heart warming nominations making it very difficult to choose just one winner each month. I want to thank everyone who submitted nominations over the past years. I also want to encourage everyone to continue to submit nominations as we continue to honor caregivers in the future!
Don’t Miss: Medicaid Doctors In Baton Rouge
How To Get Assistance With The Medicaid Application Process
Figuring out what sort of Medicaid programs states offer to pay for home care and applying for coverage can be a challenge. âItâs a tough process,â DâAgostino said. âThereâs little communication, lots of requests and time sensitive applications. So, typically, you need some help.â
The best place to get help, she said, is from an elder law attorney who knows what programs are available in your state and how to qualify. In particular, an elder law attorney can advise on what steps to take to qualify financially for Medicaid and can help develop a plan to spend down or shield assets to qualify. You can find a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation.
There also are a variety of other professionals who are certified Medicaid planners and can help families qualify for Medicaid. MedicaidPlanningAssistance.org has a form to connect with a Certified Medicaid Planner.
Another option is to reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging office to find out what free or low-cost services are available in your community to assist with the Medicaid application process.
How Much Do Family Members Get Paid For Caregiving In Florida
How much family members get paid for caregiving in Florida depends on the program they are participating in.
- The HCE program pays, under the basic subsidy, $160 a month. Caregivers are not compensated directly for the care they provide, but rather for equipment and supplies.
- The SMMC LTC program requires caregivers to accept the Medicaid hourly compensation rate between $9-$13 an hour.
- The VDC program pays caregivers an hourly rate set by the Veterans Health Administration and adjusted for local geographic factors. The hourly rate is called the reimbursement rate, and caregivers are paid in the range of 50-75% of theaverage hourly rate for care in their area. Generally speaking, this may be between $8 and $21 an hour.
- The VA Aid and Attendance program maximum benefit amount for aveteran who does not have a spouse or dependent child is $23,238 a year or $1,936 a month. The maximum benefit amount for a married veteran is $27,549 a year or $2,295 a month.
You May Like: Medicaid And Food Stamps Income Limit
Which Medicaid Programs Allow Loved Ones To Be Paid As Caregivers
Medicaid is a state-run health insurance program, and in every state it provides an option for loved ones, meaning friends or relatives, to become paid caregivers. The specifics can vary quite a bit, however, as there is a lot of variance between how Medicaid works in each state.
Though the names and specific details will differ depending on the state, more broadly these are the programs under which Medicaid consumer direction allows loved ones to be paid for caregiving:
Consumer Direction Medicaid Waivers
Most state Medicaid programs have some version of the Home and Community Based Services waiver, and many allow for paying a loved one to be caregiver. These waivers are also called 1915 waivers or 1115 Demonstration Waivers, and they are not considered entitlements, meaning states might cap the number of waivers and applicants might have to go on a waiting list.
HCBS waivers are for Medicaid-eligible seniors who might need some level of nursing care but do not want to actually move into a nursing home. Benefits include medical equipment, adult day care, and transportation, and waivers can often also include consumer direction allowing the recipient to choose their own caregiver and pay that person for help with activities of daily living like eating, bathing, grooming, using the toilet, and getting dressed.
For a step-by-step guide to applying for Medicaid waivers, .
Consumer Direction in ABD Medicaid
For help with the process of applying for ABD Medicaid, .
Can I Get Paid For Caretaker Services Already Provided To My Mother
When mom gets sick, the adult children are often the ones who pick up the care-provider mantle â assisting their parent with routine household chores, perhaps cooking meals, and even more basic care taking necessities such as assisting mom with going to the bathroom, bathing and eating. At some point it becomes clear that mom is getting worse and professional help is necessary. Eventually moving mom into a nursing home may be the best option. If they have not yet consulted with an elder law attorney, the cost of the nursing home hits the family like a ton of bricks:
In Florida, the average cost of a nursing home, as of 2020, is around $9,500.00 per month! The family realizes that Medicare does not pay a dime towards nursing home care after 100 days, and someone tells them that they ought to look into applying for Medicaid. Anyone who does basic Medicaid research will quickly learn that Medicaid penalizes applicants for gifting money to someone though their five year look-back.â
But the mother and child may discover, after speaking with an experienced elder care lawyer, that the child can get paid for helping to take care of their mother, which, if structured properly, is one of a number of Medicaid planning strategies utilized by elder law attorneys to properly get some assets out of momâs name.
Initially, this is exciting because, âIâve been taking care of mom for a few years nowâ¦I should just get paid for all that care giving and caretaker work!â
Don’t Miss: Medicaid Change Of Information Form
Getting Paid For Caregiving For A Parent Through Tax Credits And Reimbursements
There are several tax credits and reimbursements available for caregivers. If your parents gross annual incomenot including society securityis less than $4,300 and you cover more than half the cost of their support, it may be possible to claim them as a dependent. Even if these criteria dont apply, it might be possible to deduct the majority of care expenses from your taxes. You should be sure to consult an accountant or tax attorney. The regulations vary by state and some state-funded caregiver payment programs do not allow for family members to claim their elderly loved ones as dependents on their taxes. These options may not be financially beneficial for you in the long run.
Will Medicaid Pay For In Home Care
In a sense, yes. But this isnt a simple yes or no answer. Simply put, all you have to do is apply to be a client with Homecare Powered by AUAF. Your need for home care will be assessed by an outside organization. Once your need is determined, you will receive home care that will be covered either by Medicaid or by another insurance agency.
Also Check: Iowa Medicaid Income Limits 2020
S To Take To Become Someones Caregiver And Be Paid By Medicaid
This is a typical question of adults trying to understand how to become formal caregivers for their parents. Many mistakenly believe that to be paid to be a caregiver, it must be through the means of Medicaid. While Illinois Medicaid may be the means in which you are receiving coverage as a home care aide, its not as direct as you may think.
You will apply to be a home care aide through Homecare Powered by AUAF. Your parent will apply to be a recipient of home care. Once you are hired and have received training, and your parent has been approved through a CCU for care, you will be paired as a formally paid home care aide for your parent.
How To Become A Paid Caregiver For A Family Member
Clients must show they need a certain level of care, and caregivers must show they are capable of providing that care. If the client needs medical care the loved one isnt trained for, they cannot be designated as the caregiver.
The amount of money family caregivers are paid varies among states Medicaid programs, the level of care the individual needs and the average wage for a home health aide in each state. The programs that allow family caregivers to be paid also go by different names and have different caveats and benefits in each state:
- Home and Community Based Services Waivers are offered by the majority of states. But many have a limited number of these waivers, so there may be a waiting list. This waiver allows the Medicaid participant to hire a friend or relative as a personal care assistant. This is also referred to as the 1915 C waiver. For instance, Iowa has the HCBS Elderly Waiver, Indiana has the Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver, and the District of Columbia has the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities Medicaid Waiver.
You May Like: How Can I Get Medicaid For My Child
Family Caregiver As A Cna Supporting Agencies
Certified nursing assistants can provide skilled care with activities of daily living . Colorado permits family caregivers that become a CNA to be reimbursed through a licensed home care agency to provide CNA-level care through Colorado Medicaid or Colorado Medicaid Waivers. The following home health agencies can help caregivers pay for their CNA qualification and hire family and/or friends to care for their loved ones.
The Colorado Respite Coalition does not endorse or suggest any particular agency over another.
- Team Select Home Care: If you are a parent, family member, or friend and your loved one qualifies for CNA care you may be eligible to attend our CNA course and get certified at no cost to you, to be able to get paid to take care of your loved one. Contact Mark Prussin at 577-1804 to find out more details about our potentially life changing program.
- PASCO Home Health: Family members can attend an accredited Ceritifed Nursing Assistant school paid for by PASCO for primary caregiver and one back-up provider, becoming an employee of PASCO. There is also the option of being matched with an existing CNA for care assistance. Contact 233-3122 for more information.
- MGA Home Healthcare: Specializing in pediatric care MGA will pay for the upfront costs of CNA school and then have the family caregiver pay that fee back incrementally through paychecks. Contact -749-0424 for more information.
Read Also: Dentist In Gainesville Ga That Accept Medicaid
What Should A Family Caregiver Consider Before Moving In With A Parent
As a family caregiver, you should take time to contemplate if moving in with your parent is right for both of you. It can be challenging to live together again and navigate changes in your relationship dynamic. Your parent has likely spent much of their life as your caregiver, but now the roles are being reversed. This can be an uncomfortable transition.
You should consider the following questions:
- Does my parent want me to move in?
- How will living with and caring for my parent affect my lifestyle?
- Is my parent comfortable with me being their live-in caregiver?
- What type of care does my parent need? Is that care that I can reasonably provide with my skillset?
- If my parent requires around-the-clock care and supervision, will I be open to hiring an in-home caregiver?
- Is my parents home suitable for their current and future needs? If not, what kind of home modifications may be necessary? Will a move to a senior living community better serve my loved ones care needs?
If you and your parent agree on a live-in caregiver plan, you should consider seeking counsel from a local elder law attorney and a qualified financial advisor prior to moving in. They can help you navigate the legal and financial complexities of this arrangement. Additionally, if youre interested in pursuing the Medicaid caregiver child exception, they may be able to provide state-specific guidance and advice tailored to your familys unique situation.
Read Also: Does Medicaid Cover College Students
