Does Medicare Pay for Visiting Angels? Coverage Explained

Finding the right in-home care for yourself or a loved one is never easy. You’re already dealing with so much, and insurance questions only add to the stress.

Many people wonder, “Does Medicare pay for Visiting Angels?” It’s a good question because the costs associated with this type of care can be pretty expensive. It’s extra stressful when you aren’t sure what to expect.

This guide explores that question and clarifies what you can realistically expect. We’ll unpack Visiting Angels, dive into Medicare coverage, and explore other ways you can fund home care.

Let’s clear up the confusion.

What is Visiting Angels?

Visiting Angels is a well-known nationwide network of in-home care agencies. Instead of caring for patients in a clinical facility, these caregivers provide assistance right in a patient’s own house. Now, since these Visiting Angels offices operate like franchises, each office’s specific offerings and costs might vary.

However, Visiting Angels provides various in-home services such as respite care, end-of-life care, and personal care. Some locations even help with things like running errands, meal preparation, or simply being a companion for folks who need a bit more social interaction.

Does Medicare Pay for Visiting Angels: The Nitty Gritty

Medicare is designed to help those over 65 (and certain individuals under 65 with disabilities). However, confusion exists around its coverage of in-home care services. Medicare primarily focuses on “medically necessary” services, meaning those directly related to treating a health condition rather than helping with daily tasks.

Does Medicare Cover Any Visiting Angels Services?

Sometimes, yes. But there’s a big catch. It boils down to whether or not the care your doctor orders is considered “medically necessary.” The specific rules about Medicare and what qualifies for Visiting Angels, or another other in-home care agency, can be confusing.

Here’s a closer look at some instances where Medicare may pitch in:

Short-term care following hospitalization: If you need short-term home health care after a hospital stay (at least three days) for a condition your doctor expects to improve, Medicare may cover some or even all of it. This care needs to be set up within 30 days of leaving the hospital. It also requires a doctor to certify the need for skilled nursing care; this could be anything from nursing care to physical therapy.

Now for the important part: Medicare might foot 100% of the bill for the first 20 days of care. Between days 21 through 100, they’ll still pay a significant amount, although you might have some costs. After those initial 100 days, unfortunately, you’re on your own.

Recovery From An Injury: When a doctor determines you need in-home care for an injury, Medicare might help. Think: Part-time nursing care, physical or speech therapy, getting temporary medical equipment (like a wheelchair or oxygen), even help with social and psychological stuff related to your injury. There isn’t a set time limit here for Medicare coverage. But, your doctor needs to reconfirm the necessity of this care every 60 days, and you must be certified as homebound.
Hospice Care at Home: If someone’s not expected to live more than six months due to a terminal illness, Medicare might help cover hospice care. The good news? This type of care is more comprehensive. Medicare might pitch in for medical equipment, certain medications, and grief counseling for the patient and their family.

Remember, with hospice care, Medicare usually stops covering treatment aimed at curing your illness.

What Visiting Angels Services DOESN’T Medicare Cover?

Unfortunately, does Medicare pay for Visiting Angels services 100% of the time? It doesn’t. While the above situations sometimes get Medicare coverage, there’s also a long list of what they don’t typically pay for, like:

Full-time (24/7) home care.
Personal care (bathing, dressing, help using the bathroom unless part of a skilled nursing or therapy plan).
Strictly companion care (think of it as more social than medical).
Errand running or meal delivery.
Housekeeping or chores.

How Much Does Visiting Angels Cost?

Good question. Because Visiting Angels is a franchise, each location can have slightly different rates depending on where you’re located. Generally, the average hourly costs are in the range of $35 to $50 per hour. For the most up-to-date information about the cost, your best bet is reaching out to your local Visiting Angels office. They’ll be able to break down costs and answer your specific questions.

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How Can I Find Out What’s Covered in My Specific Case?

Don’t hesitate to contact your local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) office for personalized advice regarding Visiting Angels’ Medicare coverage for a loved one. They can help provide information about what Medicare advantage plans are available as well.

Funding Visiting Angels Beyond Medicare

Ok, so we’ve answered, “does Medicare pay for Visiting Angels?”. But, if it turns out Medicare won’t cover the costs of in-home care with Visiting Angels, don’t despair. There are some alternative avenues you can explore, including:

Medicaid: Medicaid focuses more on long-term care for people with limited incomes. It might help with things like personal care and other in-home assistance services.
Veterans’ Benefits: Those who’ve served in the military should definitely check out veterans’ benefits because these benefits often cover home care.
Long-term care insurance: Did you know there are policies designed specifically to cover long-term care like the services Visiting Angels provides?
Savings/Investments: If none of the above options pan out, unfortunately, you’ll have to rely on personal funds to cover those costs. This might include savings accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, or reverse mortgages. Be sure to carefully consider any potential tax consequences.

Finding the best funding solution for you boils down to your individual financial situation, specific needs, and eligibility. The bottom line is that it doesn’t hurt to do your research, call around, and ask those important questions.

FAQs about does Medicare pay for Visiting Angels

FAQ 1: Does Medicare pay for a home assistant?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. If a doctor deems your need for a home assistant as “medically necessary” for a short period, Medicare might cover part of the costs. However, they generally don’t pay for help with daily tasks if it’s long-term. Contacting Medicare directly for your specific needs is a good first step.

FAQ 2: How much does Visiting Angels cost in Michigan?

Because Visiting Angels is a franchise, costs in Michigan vary by location. Reach out to the Visiting Angels office near you for the most up-to-date rates.

FAQ 3: Will Medicare pay for a health watch?

Generally, Medicare won’t shell out for things like health watches, even if your doctor recommends one. This is because they’re not (at least for now.) considered “durable medical equipment” under current Medicare rules.

FAQ 4: Will Medicare pay for a walker?

Sometimes. To get coverage, your doctor needs to prescribe a walker as “medically necessary.” For example, if you recently had surgery or sustained an injury. Additionally, the walker usually needs to come from a Medicare-approved supplier. So check with Medicare to make sure you’re purchasing through an appropriate source.

Conclusion

So, does Medicare pay for Visiting Angels? The simple answer is it’s complicated. Medicare may cover some in-home care costs for a temporary period following hospitalization. This is if your doctor thinks it’s essential for your recovery or management of a health condition. They generally won’t chip in for ongoing personal care or daily tasks like those Visiting Angels offers, however. Do your homework, contact the right resources, and know what questions to ask. It will make this process much easier.