A Straightforward Guide for Families Choosing Home Instead
When a loved one begins to need help at home, one of the first questions families ask is, "Will my insurance cover this?" It’s an essential question. The truth is, not all insurance works the same way when it comes to in-home support.
At Home Instead, we understand the importance of clear answers. This guide breaks down the most common types of senior insurance and helps you understand what coverage may apply to Home Instead’s services.
1. Long-Term Care Insurance: Support Built for Home Care
Long-term care (LTC) insurance is specifically designed to cover services like help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and companionship, support that enables seniors to age in place safely and with dignity.
What’s covered:
- Personal care and support at home
- Respite care for family caregivers
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
What to know:
- Policies vary—some require a formal care plan or a physician's statement to activate benefits.
- Most policies reimburse for services, so Home Instead will help you with documentation and billing.
Common carriers: Genworth, Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, and AARP-endorsed providers.
Home Instead accepts many long-term care insurance plans and can assist you with filing claims.
2. Traditional Health Insurance: Great for Treatment, Limited for Caregiving
Health insurance plans like Kaiser Permanente, United Healthcare, or Blue Shield are built for medical needs, not daily caregiving.
What’s usually covered:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Short-term skilled nursing (with a doctor’s order)
- Prescription drugs
What’s not covered:
- Long-term personal care
- In-home help with daily activities, unless part of post-hospital recovery
These plans are essential, but they are not designed for ongoing in-home support, such as the services provided by Home Instead.
3. Medicare and Medi-Cal: Public Programs with Specific Uses
Medicare helps cover medical expenses for people 65+ but does not generally pay for personal caregiving or long-term home care.
Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, may help cover the costs of in-home care for seniors who meet specific income and asset requirements.
Medicare may help with:
- Short-term skilled home health (nursing or rehab)
- Hospice care
- Some medical equipment
Medi-Cal may help with:
- Ongoing in-home care for those with qualifying needs
- Adult day health services
These programs can be lifesavers, but they come with complex rules. Home Instead can help you understand your eligibility and options.
4. The Big Difference: Health Insurance vs. Long-Term Care Insurance
It’s easy to assume all insurance covers caregiving. Here’s how they compare:
Health Insurance / Medicare
- Purpose: Treat illness, injury, or medical needs
- Covers In-Home Care: Rarely—only for short-term medical care
- Length of Coverage: Short-term, conditional
Example Providers: Kaiser, Blue Shield, Medicare
Long-Term Care Insurance:
- Purpose: Support daily living with chronic conditions
- Covers In-Home Care: Yes, especially for personal caregiving support
- Length of Coverage: Ongoing (based on policy terms)
- Example Providers: Genworth, Mutual of Omaha, AARP, Transamerica
How Do Families Pay for Home Instead?
At Home Instead, we aim to make care more accessible. We currently accept:
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
- Private Pay (personal savings, family support, or trust funds)
Our Care Consultants can guide you through each option and help you create a plan that suits your family’s needs and budget. We’ll also assist with documentation, care planning, and insurance coordination.
When someone you love needs support, the last thing you want is to navigate confusing coverage terms on your own. Home Instead is here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
Not sure if your insurance will cover Home Instead? Schedule a no-obligation Care Consultation—we’ll walk through it together.
