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Is Home Care Free for Cancer Patients?
Date Updated: December 8, 2024
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.
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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.
No, home care isn’t free for cancer patients, but seniors may qualify for financial assistance through various programs. Diverse factors influence whether an individual qualifies for funding. Additionally, some insurance plans pay full or partial costs of in-home care for people with cancer. Sometimes, individuals self-fund support services.
Medicaid Coverage of Home Care for Cancer Patients
In most states, Medicaid covers home care through traditional state plans or Home and Community-Based Services waivers for individuals who meet eligibility criteria. Although conditions vary among states, most include financial limits and functional needs. When Medicaid covers in-home care for people with cancer, services commonly include help with day-to-day tasks, such as personal care, meal preparation and domestic chores. Packages may also cover transportation and companionship.
However, home care doesn’t include medical or rehabilitative services, such as skilled nursing care, medication administration or physical therapy. Seniors who need medical attention to help them remain at home often benefit from home health care rather than in-home care. Medicaid also covers home health care for those who qualify.
Medicare and VA Coverage of Home Care for Cancer Patients
Medicare doesn’t typically pay for home care services, regardless of a person’s diagnosis or health condition. The only exception is in limited situations where people also receive skilled home health services; in this case, Medicare also covers personal care. However, it never pays for domestic chores, errand running or companionship.
Eligible veterans with cancer receive VA assistance to pay for home care services. Often, payments come via the Aid and Attendance allowance or Housebound benefit.
Other Ways to Pay for Home Care
Seniors who don’t qualify for financial assistance must pay for home care using private funds. For many, this means relying on income and savings. Some also receive economic support from loved ones. Many long-term care insurance policies cover home care for individuals with cancer; people should check their coverage terms and contact their providers to discuss their situation. Senior homeowners may consider taking out a reverse mortgage to pay for their care.