How Can You Get More Medicaid Home Health Care?

You can get more Medicaid home health care by reviewing your state's Medicaid program, consulting with your physician and undergoing necessary medical assessments to determine the need for increased care. Eligibility requirements and what Medicaid pays for vary by state, but you can generally increase benefits by meeting their established criteria.

Medicaid home health care provides medical and nonmedical support for individuals who prefer to receive care at home rather than in a residential facility. These services can include:

• Skilled nursing care
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Home modifications to improve safety and accessibility
• Therapy services (physical, speech and occupational)
• Transportation (medical and nonmedical)
• Personal emergency response systems and medical alerts

 

As each state administers its Medicaid program, the availability and extent of these services differ depending on where you live. Therefore, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with your state's specific policies and benefits to maximize your home health care options.

To get more Medicaid home health care, follow these three steps:

• Verify Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet financial and medical eligibility criteria for Medicaid in your state. This criteria typically involves pre-established income and asset limits and a demonstrated need for home health care services.
• Undergo a Medical Assessment: Medicaid applications often require a comprehensive medical assessment by a health care professional to determine a medical need for care. These assessments evaluate physical and cognitive conditions and identify the specific services that Medicaid home health care will cover.
• Utilize Waiver Programs: Many states offer supplemental waiver programs for additional services not covered under basic Medicaid. Applying for these waivers can enhance the scope of your Medicaid home health care coverage.

Waiver programs vary from state to state, but can include:

• Home and Community-Based Services waivers
• Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
• The Community First Choice program

Once you've established eligibility and completed the necessary assessments, you can request additional services by contacting your state's Medicaid office or a Medicaid-approved home health agency. Provide any required documentation, such as medical records and assessment results, to support your request for increased home health care services. Missing documents or incomplete forms can result in delays. Persistent follow-up and clear communication with Medicaid representatives and your health care providers also help ensure you receive the maximum benefits available.

Contracting the services of an industry professional proves helpful in ensuring you've met all requirements, obtained the necessary documentation and filled out all forms correctly. Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can pair you with a trained benefits counselor to provide more detailed guidance and assist you in preparing your application.