When your loved one needs support at home, one of the first questions families ask is: “How can we afford home care?”

At Atlanta House Healthcare Services, we offer a variety of affordable, customizable in-home care solutions for seniors, adults, and children with complex medical needs. To help you make informed decisions, here’s a breakdown of the most common ways to pay for home care services.

1. Private Pay (Out-of-Pocket Payment)

Private pay is the most flexible and widely used method to pay for home care.

This includes:

• Retirement income, pensions, or savings

• Social Security benefits

• Help from family members

Advantages of private pay:

• No restrictions on types or hours of care

• Immediate access to services

• Total control over caregiver selection and schedule

2. Health Insurance (Limited Coverage)

Traditional health insurance (such as employer-sponsored or ACA plans) may cover short-term or medically necessary home health services, but it typically does NOT cover non-medical personal care, like bathing, dressing, or companionship.

Health insurance may cover:

• Skilled nursing following surgery or illness

• Therapies (physical, occupational, speech) ordered by a doctor

• Medical equipment or supplies used at home

To qualify, services must be:

• Prescribed by a physician

• Deemed medically necessary

• Provided by a licensed home health agency

💡 Tip: We can help verify your insurance benefits and determine what's covered under your specific plan.

3. Long-Term Care Insurance

Unlike standard health insurance, long-term care insurance is designed to pay for in-home personal care services, including:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, or toileting

• Dementia or Alzheimer's care

• Companionship and daily living support

Important considerations:

• Policies vary widely—check benefit triggers and elimination periods

• Some reimburse clients; others pay agencies directly

• Coverage amounts and length of benefits differ

Atlanta House Healthcare Services can assist you in navigating your policy and submitting the required documentation.

4. Medicaid and Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs

Medicaid provides home care benefits for eligible low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and children with complex needs.

In Georgia, this includes:

• CCSP (Community Care Services Program)

• SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment)

• GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program) for children with medical needs

Services covered may include:

• Personal care support

• Home health aide services

• Limited nursing care

• Case management

Our team will guide you through the Medicaid application process and help with enrollment in waiver programs.

5. Veterans Benefits (VA Programs)

If your loved one is a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran, they may be eligible for VA-funded home care assistance, including:

• VA Aid and Attendance Benefit

• Homemaker/Home Health Aide Program

• Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)

Eligibility depends on:

• Military service during wartime

• Income and medical need

We proudly support veterans and can connect you with accredited VA benefit specialists to explore your options.

6. Medicare (Skilled Home Health Services Only)

Medicare covers short-term, physician-ordered home health care, including:

• Skilled nursing

• Physical or speech therapy

• Medical social services

Important to note:

• Medicare does NOT cover 24/7 care, long-term personal care, cooking, cleaning, or companionship. Services must be medically necessary and intermittent in nature.

Atlanta House Healthcare Services can help coordinate care with Medicare-certified providers when applicable.

7. Life Insurance & Reverse Mortgages

Some families use alternative financial tools to cover in-home care:

• Life insurance conversions (selling or borrowing against a policy’s cash value)

• Reverse mortgages (tapping into home equity to pay for care while continuing to live at home)

These options are best discussed with a financial advisor or elder law attorney.

Need Help Understanding Your Options? We’re Here for You.

Choosing the right payment method for home care can be overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be. At Atlanta House Healthcare Services, our care coordinators offer free consultations to help you:

• Explore your funding options

• Verify insurance benefits

• Apply for Medicaid or VA programs

• Customize a care plan to fit your needs and budget

📞 Call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

Information You Can Use!

Discover valuable insights on paying for home care, explore informative blogs, and access essential resources to help you navigate the home care industry effectively.

Paying for Home Care Services: A Complete Guide for Families