Medicaid is an integral part of the US healthcare system, providing care to millions of people. With Medicaid health insurance, people are safeguarding their health and ensuring they meet their care requirements to stay healthy and live life to the fullest. Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that aims to provide health coverage to millions of Americans, irrespective of their economic and social status. From low-income adults to pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities, this insurance ensures everyone stays healthy and gets access to quality care.
Accessing quality home care is a challenge for elderly adults and people with disabilities, primarily due to financial barriers. Medicaid addresses this issue by providing insurance coverage that allows individuals to receive home care services, improving their well-being. For perspective, Statista reports that 10 hours of home care weekly costs about $1,400 per month, with home health aides averaging $33 per hour. Needing full-time care, such as 40 hours a week, increases costs further, making Medicaid’s support essential. In 2000, home health care expenditure resulted in $32 billion, and by 2023, this number increased to $148 billion.
This write-up is a small guide to help you understand what Medicaid is all about and how it contributes to home health care in the United States of America. It also sheds light on the top home health care services that people can access for quality care.
What Medicaid is All About?
Medicaid provides comprehensive coverage for health and long-term care to the 83 million low-income American population. The federal and state governments jointly finance Medicaid, but states administer this insurance program within the extensive federal rules. Around 21% of people have Medicaid in America, but this statistic differs across states. The percentage is higher in 41 states where Medicaid is expanded to 21 states that voted for Trump and 20 that voted for Kamala Harris under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). States with lower average incomes and lower rates of insurance also have the highest Medicaid coverage.
In 2023, Medicaid gave coverage to 4 in 10 children, 1 in 6 adults, 8 in 10 children in poverty, and half of adults in poverty. It also covers the higher sections of Hispanic, Black, Alaska Native, and American Indian children and adults. Medicaid also gives coverage to 1 in 4 adults ages 19-64 years with disabilities, like difficulty related to cognition, hearing, vision, independent living, self-care, and ambulation.
Along with that, it provides coverage to special populations. For instance, Medicaid covers 41% of all births in the USA, 5 in 8 nursing home residents, and 40% of non-elderly adults with HIV. It is a key source of insurance coverage for individuals experiencing homelessness in states that have Medicaid expansion.
Medicaid expenditure in the country accelerated during the economic crisis to help states manage increased costs. In 2024, the match rate for insurance has been increased to help people manage increased enrollment and expenses due to the pandemic-driven continuous enrollment provision.
Medicaid accounts for one-fifth of all healthcare expenditure and over half of spending on long-term care. Medicaid covers 19% of all healthcare spending and 19% of hospital spending. According to the Medicaid federal law, all states cover optional benefits, like prescription drugs and home care. Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care in the USA, encompassing 61% of total spending. Other benefits, like non-emergency medical transportation, are also covered by Medicaid.
Home Care Services
Home Care is also known as home-and-community-based services (HCBS). It is long-term care that is provided in non-institutional settings, including day care centers, homes, and assisted living facilities. Home care in the USA offers assistance with daily living and medical needs in a person’s residential property or a daycare facility. From helping with household chores to skilled nursing and therapy, home care is designed to aid elderly or disabled people to get every assistance they need.
Several agencies are available to provide home care to people in need and can be paid either through cash or through long-term care insurance, like Medicaid and Medicare. These care services include non-medical tasks like personal care and meal preparation, medical services like wound care, physical therapy, and medication management.
Medicaid in Home Care
Many elderly adults and people with disabilities in the USA require assistance with self-care, and aiding them with such services is known as “long-term care.” These services can be provided in institutional settings apart from people’s homes and the community. People often believe that Medicare is the primary source of coverage for the low-income population who need home care or nursing, but Medicaid is the primary payer, covering two-thirds of all home care expenditure in 2022. However, the scenario is different. Let us understand how Medicaid contributes to home care.
At present, 4.5 million people are enrolled in Medicaid-covered home care services annually. States use various federal legal authorities or programs to deliver home care, as part of the Medicaid state plan. All states have at least one home care program, and many have multiple programs. Home care is offered through 1915 n(c) waivers from 47 states, and personal care state plan benefits from 34 states. This care plan is less frequently offered through 1115 waivers from 14 states or through the Community First Choice option from 10 states. The eligibility criteria of this program for most people are having a disability or being aged 65 and older. The Medicaid eligibility pathways are known as “non-MAGI” pathways because they do not use the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).
Top Home Health Care Services to Look For in the USA
So, if you are looking for some reliable home health care services in the country for your loved ones, below is the list of agencies that you can rely on:
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Maxim Healthcare Services of Columbia
Maxim Healthcare provides skilled in-home care tailored to patients’ individual needs. This facility delivers support with dignity and trusted expertise. The company allows patients to access home care under Medicaid, Medicare, and some private insurance plans. It’s hospital-level skilled private duty nursing services address patients’ needs who prefer a home setting.
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CenterWell Home Health of Atlanta
CenterWell Home Health specializes in home healthcare services. It delivers quality care from nurses and therapists in the comfort of their home. People can use Medicare and Medicaid to access care services from CenetrWell. Medicare and CenterWell® work together to offer affordable healthcare. It brings personalized and skilled care directly to the clients. Its team of nurses and therapists understands individual goals and needs and caters to them efficiently.
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Amedisys, Inc.
Amedisys is one of the leading providers of health care in the comfort of your home. It offers high-quality home health, palliative care, hospice, and high-acuity care in 38 states. Amidsys has been delivering personalized care since 1982, and 99% of its home health agencies have achieved 4-star ratings. This home care service is chosen by 3,000 hospitals and 90,000 physicians. It allows payment through Medicaid.
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