One of the most common requests from older adults is that they want to age at home to maintain as much independence as possible. Eventually, the person’s health declines to the point where they can no longer manage daily responsibilities without support.

Instead of moving a person to a care community or skilled nursing facility, another option is to bring in home health services and personal care services. These providers bring expert medical care and personal support with a customized plan to match the patient’s unique needs.

Home care is an individualized approach to designing the optimal care that each person requires. Since every patient is getting a personalized plan, there isn’t a standard price tag for these types of services.

Cost Considerations: The Price of Home Health

The truth is that many factors can affect the overall cost of home health services, such as:

• Hours: How many hours are needed each week? The more hours the patient needs, the higher the costs. Most home care agencies have an hourly rate, with potential discounts for monthly contracts.
• Supplies: What types of medical supplies are required to manage the person’s health? These expenses can add up but are typically covered by insurance.
• Location: Region can affect the price of home health services. High cost of living areas tend to be more expensive, as well as remote areas that require long driving distances.
• Specialties: If a patient needs specialized care beyond general nursing and healthcare, then the price of medical services can be higher.
• Services: The specific type of services a patient receives will determine how much is paid. For example, does the person require basic health checkups and medication management, or are they needing wound care, catheter support, and more?

The home care industry is growing because of an increasing need in the industry. The good news is that you have the opportunity to choose the ideal provider for yourself or a family member who needs services.

How Much Will You Be Paying for Home Health Services?

Your family’s out-of-pocket costs depend on the specific type of home care services your loved one is receiving, as well as the frequency in which these services are required.

As you are beginning the process of choosing a home health provider, consider the services your loved one requires. For example, is the person living independently and just needs a little support during the week? Or, has their health reached a point where full-time help is necessary?

Our home health team takes the time to understand the patient’s needs and the family’s requests. Then, we complete a comprehensive assessment to design a personalized plan – the simpler the plan, the cheaper the costs. Services that require high levels of experience or training tend to be more expensive.

The good news is that certain types of home health care can be covered by insurance. If you have either private insurance or Medicare, talk to our team to learn more about maximizing these available benefits.

Manage Costs by Understanding the Types of Home Care

Education is a powerful way to understand your options, which empowers your family to manage costs. For example, if you are in the process of hiring in-home care for yourself or a loved one, then start by learning about the different types of care available.

Too often, families generalize all services into the category of “home health.” But the truth is that there are notable differences between general hygiene care, home support, and skilled medical services.

Learning about these different types of care can help you ensure that you are choosing the ideal level of care to optimize overall results while also minimizing unnecessary costs. Types of care include:

Companion Care

This type of home care is particularly beneficial for aging adults who feel isolated or live alone. Sometimes companion care is helpful for patients who live with family members who are gone for most of the day.

Companion care provides socialization, safety, support for outings, and transportation to medical and social appointments.

Personal Care

The next level of support is designed to support a patient with the activities of daily living (ADL). Often, patients need assistance with things such as bathing, eating, and toileting. These services are helpful when a person starts to have mobility issues or health problems that interfere with daily activities.

Personal care providers also offer similar services received from a companion care provider. Additionally, personal care often includes non-medical support in the home, such as cooking and cleaning.

Home Health Care

When medical support is required, home health care is the ideal level of service. This comprehensive service is the most expensive of the three options listed because it requires skilled and experienced medical providers – such as nurses and doctors.

Home health care can include any medical-related support a person requires, including medication administration, catheter care, injections, oxygen tube management, skilled nursing services, wound care, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and much more.

Keep in mind that patients can receive a combination of services, such as both home health care and personal care services, at the same time.

Do You or a Loved One Need Home Health Care?

When a person requires ongoing medical care, home health care is an optimal solution. In many situations, the person’s overall health improves when they are receiving continuous, personalized care from a medical team.

Sometimes, home health care is recommended when a person is discharged from the hospital or going home after spending time in a nursing facility. Home health care is a great solution to support optimal recovery and rehabilitation.

Another reason families seek home health care is because they are looking for an alternative to moving the person to a residential nursing care location. In addition, if the patient requires frequent services, such as catheter care, breathing treatments, or dialysis, then home health care can be an essential part of the care process.

How to Pay for Home Health Services

Medical care can be expensive, but families need to know that they don’t have to pay for these services out-of-pocket. If you are confused about your payment options, then simply reach out to our team to discuss possible options.

Some of the most common ways to pay for home health care services include:

• Medicare: A doctor must certify that the patient meets eligibility requirements, such as being homebound.
• Medicaid: Medical services provided for low-income families. Again, a doctor must oversee the patient’s treatment and determine eligibility.
• Private Insurance: Many people have private insurance, such as long-term care plans that can be used for everything from home health to assisted living.

Learn More About Home Health

When you choose home health care services, our team at Avatar Healthcare is here to assist. We offer a range of services, including home health, personal home care services, and hospice. Contact us or call (844) 422-5528 to schedule a consultation and learn more.