Medicaid and Home Care in Connecticut: What Families Need to Know
Medicaid can help eligible Connecticut residents receive long-term care services at home instead of moving into a nursing facility. The state offers several home- and community-based programs, including the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) and Community First Choice, that can provide assistance based on factors like a person’s age or needs.
However, families shouldn’t assume that Medicaid only pays for nursing home care. Home care may include other services, from personal assistance to home modifications. These programs come with strict financial and functional eligibility requirements, and not everyone qualifies. Our Connecticut Medicaid planning attorneys cover everything you need to know about these programs below.
What Types of Home Care Can Medicaid Cover in Connecticut?
Connecticut Medicaid programs can provide several types of services that help eligible people remain safely in their homes. Every situation is different, and the exact services depend on factors like the program itself and the person’s needs. In other words, Medicaid doesn’t provide the same home-care package to every participant.
For older adults, CHCPE offers a particularly broad range of services. These can include care management, adult day services, homemaker-companion services, personal care attendants, emergency response systems, transportation, respite, assistive technology, and certain home modifications. The program includes both Medicaid waiver-funded and state-funded services.
The appropriate services depend on what the individual can and cannot safely do without assistance. Someone who needs help bathing and dressing may have different needs than someone who requires daily supervision because of cognitive impairment.
How Do Medicaid’s Financial Rules Affect Home-Care Eligibility?
Some Connecticut Medicaid long-term services and supports programs impose income and asset requirements. An applicant may satisfy the medical or functional requirements for home care but still need to establish financial eligibility before Medicaid will pay for those services.
Families need to consider prior financial transactions during this process. State law allows home- and community-based services to require a five-year income and asset review when an applicant has not already been a Medicaid recipient under a similar asset-tested program.
In other words, giving away money to become eligible can create problems instead of solving them. Our attorneys can help you create a long-term plan that avoids these issues while ensuring you or a loved one is eligible along the way.
What Is the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders?
The CHCPE helps qualifying adults age 65 and older receive care in the community rather than a nursing home or other long-term care facility. The program evaluates both functional needs and financial eligibility to determine what assistance an applicant can receive.
CHCPE is especially important for families who believe a parent or other older relative can remain at home with additional support. A person does not have to be completely incapable of caring for themselves before exploring the program. Instead, Connecticut evaluates the individual’s need for assistance with important daily activities and other qualifying needs.
Can Medicaid Pay for a Personal Care Attendant at Home?
In general, qualifying Connecticut residents may be able to receive personal care attendant services through certain Medicaid programs. Community First Choice is one option that lets eligible Medicaid members receive personal assistance and other types of support while living in an approved community setting.
Personal care assistance can make a major difference for someone who needs hands-on help but does not necessarily need to live in a nursing facility. It can support daily activities while allowing the participant to maintain greater independence at home.
This program also emphasizes self-direction, which means it gives eligible participants a greater role in arranging their services rather than requiring every aspect of care to follow a set model. Families should never assume, however, that Medicaid will pay anyone the family selects to provide care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for long-term home care?
Medicare and Medicaid serve different purposes, and Medicare generally doesn’t offer unlimited custodial long-term care simply because someone needs ongoing help at home. However, other programs might be able to help.
Does someone have to need nursing home care to qualify for home services?
Some Medicaid home- and community-based programs require a person to meet an applicable institutional level of care even though the services will actually be provided at home.
Can a person own a home and receive Medicaid home care?
Home ownership doesn’t automatically make someone ineligible for Medicaid. Instead, it is just one piece of the asset puzzle considered when determining eligibility.
Should a family transfer assets before applying?
A family should never transfer assets simply to get below a Medicaid asset limit without first understanding the consequences. If you don’t make these transfers the right way, you can do more harm than good.
How Our Firm Can Help With Medicaid and Home Care
Medicaid home-care planning requires more than filling out an application. A Connecticut disability attorney can help a family determine which program may fit a loved one’s needs and help them clear any eligibility hurdles.
Having the support and guidance of experienced attorneys is especially valuable before the family moves or gives away property. A decision intended to help someone qualify for Medicaid can have the opposite effect if it isn’t done carefully, and we can answer your questions about how that process works.
From start to finish, our team is here to provide you with the counsel you need as you plan for the future.
Call a Connecticut Medicaid Planning Attorney Today
Before you start selling assets and planning for your future care, it’s important to speak with an attorney. At Disability Planning Partners, we understand how this process works, and we look forward to providing you with the guidance you deserve. Contact us as soon as possible for a confidential consultation.
