Could your senior loved one benefit from more safety in the shower or tub? Does your loved one need a walker or rollator to get around? If so, it’s very likely that you’ll soon be looking to purchase in-home adaptive products. It’s also possible that you’re asking yourself how to cover the cost for these assistive products, and if any of them might be covered under Medicare or insurance.
Like in-home care services, there are various options when it comes to buying home care equipment and supplies. The following are some of the possibilities available to assist you or your senior loved one in acquiring home medical supplies:
Medicare
If a person has Medicare Part A and is eligible for the Home Health Benefit, then Medicare will cover 80 percent of the allowable expense for medically required durable medical equipment. If a person is covered by Medicare Part B, he or she is not obligated to qualify for the Home Health Benefit, and Medicare will cover 80 percent of the permissible amount for medically necessary durable medical equipment.
Medi-Cal
If prescribed by a licensed physician, and it fulfills a patient’s medical equipment needs, durable medical equipment can be covered if the following requirements are also met:
- Serve a medical purpose;
- Withstand repeated use;
- Be useful to you because of illness, injury, functional impairment or congenital anomaly;
- Not be useful to someone in the absence of illness, injury, functional impairment or congenital anomaly; and
- Be appropriate for use either in or out of your home.
Veterans’ Administration (VA)
The Veterans’ Administration is especially helpful in providing durable medical equipment to those who qualify. Veterans or the spouse of a veteran may be qualified for benefits. Learn more here.
Other Options to Pay for Home Care Equipment
If an individual does not qualify for Medicare or Medi-Cal or obtain benefits from the Veterans’ Administration, there are a couple other possibilities to help cover the cost for home care items. Below are a few tips for utilizing long-term care or health insurance and private finances to afford the equipment needed:
Long-Term Care Insurance/Health Insurance
If the equipment or supplies needed are medically required, they may be partially covered by some private insurance carriers. Coverage is either based on the person’s coverage, or, if the individual pursuing coverage is a dependent, then the family policy should be examined for specifics on dependent coverage.
Bear in mind, however, that while having your insurance provider pay for some of the expense may seem like the best deal, it is possible to find the products you need at an “out of network” vendor at a discounted price.
Private Finances
If your senior loved one needs home care equipment that is not covered by private insurance, think about looking into equipment rental solutions or formerly owned items such as wheelchairs, scooters and handicap vans. Used equipment advertisements may be found in disability publications as well as on websites such as www.Craigslist.org, www.ebay.com, and www.unitedaccess.com.
If you need additional help either in choosing or buying home care equipment and other assistive devices for a loved one, contact our in home care, Sacramento Live Well at Home office today. We can provide a free in-home assessment, make equipment suggestions, arrange for order and delivery, and answer any other home care related questions you may have. Contact us online or call us at 916-459-3220.