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Does Medicaid Pay for Private Home Care?
Date Updated: January 10, 2025
Written by:
Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
Reviewed by:
Kristi Bickmann, a licensed Long-Term Care Specialist, represents top-rated "Traditional" & "Hybrid" LTC companies. Serving associations such as the American Nurses Association, she's a licensed insurance agent in 27 states. Specializing in insurance products for seniors, Kristi helps hundreds of families every year protect assets, retirement, and loved ones. She understands aging concerns firsthand, having assisted her own parents. Kristi ensures accuracy on topics about senior long-term care and its consequences.
Yes, Medicaid pays for private home care for eligible individuals in most places. Some states fund home care through traditional Medicaid programs, while others use Home and Community-Based Services or Section 1115 Demonstrations waivers. Because home care coverage remains optional, local Medicaid agencies set their own rules.
Private Home Care Overview
Home care supports older adults in remaining at home as they age. For many, in-home care services provide a vital bridge for them to live safely, comfortably and independently in their private residences. Without practical assistance, many such seniors would need to consider moving to other care settings, such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
Agencies devise customized service plans — in conjunction with individuals, their families, medical professionals and social workers — to meet each client’s needs and preferences. Aides visit seniors in their homes to help them with wide-ranging tasks and provide company. Common services include:
- Assisting in maintaining personal and oral hygiene
- Helping with personal care tasks, such as toileting, grooming and dressing
- Providing support to move around the home or transfer to and from the bed
- Completing domestic chores, such as housework and laundry
- Preparing light meals and snacks
- Handling grocery shopping and other errands
- Providing companionship
Medicaid Coverage of Home Care
Although criteria vary, seniors must meet functional level-of-care requirements and have limited financial resources to qualify for home care under Medicaid. Citizenship and residency requirements also apply. Consumer-focused programs operate in many areas, allowing seniors to choose their own caregivers. In some states, family members can receive payments for providing informal care. Many states operate waiting lists, meaning eligible individuals might not receive financial support immediately; in such cases, seniors must find other ways to pay for in-home care services.
Older adults can obtain further information and application assistance from their state Medicaid agency or local Area Agency on Aging.