Disability Articles

Cost of Home Health Care by State

To get a full picture of what to expect when engaging a home health care provider, determine the cost your home health services, the public programs for which you are eligible, what payments these programs cover and what private funding options are available.

The cost of home health care warrants proactive planning and should be weighed against your budget and other anticipated expenses.

For a home health aide to visit just 3 times a week to provide in home care, you may have to pay nearly $18,000 a year. It is wise then, to fully understand what is involved in contracting home health services and how it impacts your finances.

To get a full picture of what to expect when engaging a home health care provider, determine the cost your home health services, the public programs for which you are eligible, what payments these programs cover and what private funding options are available. This will greatly simplify identifying what option best meets your budget and in home care needs.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, in 200
8, the average cost of hiring a home health care provider in United States is $29 an hour. The cost may vary depending upon where you live, however. Those in Los Angeles, may have to pay $29/hour for a home health aide, but those in San Jose, may need to pay $50/hour for the same in home care.

The table below shows average hourly rates of home healthcare services state-wise. Average state hourly home health aide rates in USD ($) (Source: 2008 Cost of Care Survey, Genworth Financial, March 2008)

State by State Cost of US Home Health Care

What you should know before hiring a caregiver:

Medicare does not pay for personal care or custodial care only. It only pays for part time or intermittent skilled nursing care prescribed by a doctor and provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency.

Medicaid pays for home healthcare, but some states may limit certain services.

Private insurance may or may not cover home health care.

To meet your requirements for in home care while remaining mindful of your finances, be sure to understand all options first.

What you should know before hiring a caregiver. In this article Susan Slobac writes about home health care.

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